The government May 17 launched a special task force to cope with foot-and-mouth disease in Miyazaki Prefecture and decided to dispatch more Self-Defense Forces personnel to help deal with the outbreak.

The administration is also considering adding ¥10 billion to assistance already in place for farmers who have suffered financial damage.

At the first meeting of the task force, which includes all Cabinet ministers, the administration decided to expand areas in the prefecture to be disinfected.

The Finance Ministry is eyeing ¥10 billion more in aid, but the figure may swell as the government tries to deal with the worst outbreak of the disease on record in Japan.

More than 114,000 cattle and pigs at more than 120 farms have been slaughtered since the outbreak was first confirmed about a month ago.

Kyodo News