Viral infectious diseases of domestic animals such as foot-and-mouth disease, rinderpest and African swine fever can spread beyond country's borders and cause significant socioeconomical damage. Japan is the largest importing country of animal products and a leading developed country of the livestock industry. If the diseases invade Japan, the livestock industry are caused significant damage and trading of domestic animals and animal products are restricted. Our unit is the only research group for exotic animal diseases in Japan. Our recent research works are as follows:
- Development of highly sensitive and rapid diagnostic tests using monoclonal antibodies
- Analysis of pathogenesis of viruses by experimental infections
- Comprehensive analysis of viral genes using a next-generation sequencer
- Molecular characterization of viruses using an infectious cDNA clone
- Evaluation of vaccines preserved in Japan, diagnostic methods and pen-side tests for prevention and detection of recent endemic viruses
In addition, for risk management of these exotic diseases, we regularly prepare to perform diagnostic work. Furthermore, we collaborate with international organizations and domestic and foreign institutes to collect information and popularize techniques about the exotic diseases, and perform extending of vaccines to endemic countries in order to reduce risk of invasion of the transboundary animal diseases to Japan.
