The Kagoshima Prefectural Government said Wednesday that 13 pigs have apparently come down with hog cholera at a pig farm in the city of Kanoya.
The prefecture has imposed a pig-transport restriction within a 3 km radius from the farm, and is stepping up efforts to prevent an epidemic, the prefecture said.
The local government tested pigs at the farm Tuesday at the request of the operator since the pigs had exhibited cholera symptoms, including loss of appetite.
Of the 10 sows and four piglets examined, nine of the sows and all the piglets tested positive.
The prefecture sent specimens to the central government's inspection institution Wednesday for further tests.
The disease has a fatality rate of almost 100 percent, but it does not affect humans.