Jan. 12, 2006 — 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.
