Japan Finds First Frog Fungal Infections
Pastor Dale Morgan
Jan 12, 7:54 PM EST
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Japan Finds First Frog Fungal Infections
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By CHISAKI WATANABE
Associated Press Writer
TOKYO (AP) -- At least five frogs have died in Japan's first confirmed
cases of a fungal infection linked to sharp reductions in amphibian
numbers in other parts of the world, an expert said Friday. The
discovery prompted animal and research groups in Japan to jointly
declare "a state of emergency," urging frog owners to contact
veterinarians immediately for any abnormalities.
Yumi Une, assistant professor of Azabu University in Kanagawa, just west
of Tokyo, said that at least five frogs tested positive for the chytrid
fungus recently.
Two of the five dead frogs were kept as pets by a couple in Tokyo and
tested positive for the fungus in late December while the infection of
three others kept in a pet shop near Tokyo was confirmed earlier this
month, according to Une.
The dead frogs were of South American origin and are believed to have
been raised in Japan, she said.
A dozen other frogs owned by the couple had died earlier, and their
deaths may have been caused by the same deadly fungus, Une said. The
frogs were kept in several water tanks inside the couple's house and the
fungus was possibly transmitted through water, she said.
It is the first time that the fungus has been confirmed in frogs in
Japan, according to Une. In Asia, only Australia had confirmed cases of
the fungus infection.
"Although these were the first confirmed cases, there is no proof that
there had been no infection before," Une said. She said there had been
no reports of massive deaths of wild frogs, a situation more grave
because of the difficulties to contain infection.
The emergency declaration, posted on the Web site of World Wide Fund for
Nature Japan Friday and dated Saturday, urged owners of frogs and other
amphibious animals to be more vigil and authorities to strengthen
quarantine.
The parasitic skin fungus has a more than 90 percent likelihood of
killing an amphibian, but is harmless to other species including human
beings.
The chytrid fungus kills the frogs by growing on their skin, making it
hard for them to use their pores and regulate water intake. The frogs
die of dehydration in the water.
Frogs and many other amphibians are acutely sensitive to changes in
environmental temperature and humidity as they can not maintain a steady
internal temperature to the same extent as birds and mammals.
It is believed to be a major cause of the dramatic reduction of the
number of amphibians in many parts of the world.
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