[Press Release] Confirmation of fire ants at Yokohama Port

　On Tuesday, July 16, 2019, ants (more than 1,200 individuals) found in containers at Yamashita-Futo Yokohama Port were identified by experts requested by the Ministry of the Environment. It was confirmed as a specific alien fire ant on Wednesday, July 17th.
　The container has been closed and will be processed in the future. Around the confirmation point, insecticide bait (bait agent) is installed.
　There is no human damage in this case.

1 Process
7/8 A container ship loaded with the container departed from Xiamen Port, China.
7/11 via Tokyo Port.
7/12 Entered Honmoku Wharf at Yokohama Port and unloaded containers.
7/16 Containers were transported by land from Honmoku Wharf to the cargo handling area of Yamashita Wharf.
　　　　While the operator unloads from the container, he found a suspicious ant in the container.
　　　　Confirmed worker ants (more than 700 individuals), sanagi (more than 100 individuals), and eggs (more than 100 individuals).
　　　　Insecticide treatment is performed by spraying insecticide and insecticide (bait agent), and the container door is closed.
　　　　Insecticide bait (bait) is installed outside the container and around unloaded cargo.
　　　　When Yokohama City confirmed the insecticidal ants, Yokohama City reported to the Kanto Regional Environment Office of the Ministry of the Environment because there was a suspicion of fire ants.
7/17 Ministry of the Environment Kanto Regional Environment Office staff, Yokohama City staff and businesses confirmed ants (more than 300 individuals) on cargo in containers.
　　　　After the confirmed ant insecticide treatment is performed, the unloaded cargo is moved into the container and closed.
　　　　The Kanto Regional Environment Office of the Ministry of the Environment asked an expert to identify it and confirmed that it was a fire ant.
After July 18, the operator will carry out fumigation processing for all cargo in the container.
　　　　　Insecticide bait (bait agent) will be installed around the land of Honmoku Wharf.

2 About the ants confirmed this time
　At Yokohama Port, more than 1,200 ants (more than 1,000 worker ants, more than 100 panagi, more than 100 eggs, more than 100 eggs) have been confirmed inside the container, outside the cargo and on the floor.

3 Future Responses
　In cooperation with the Ministry of the Environment, Yokohama City will continue to conduct surveys mainly on places where the container of Honmoku Wharf was landed and around confirmation points in Yamashita-Futo, and promptly kill insects if suspicious ants are found. In addition, for the cargo after the fumigation treatment, check with the presence of a business operator to see if there are any fire ants living in the cargo.
　In addition, we will alert port officials and share information with related organizations.

4 To Our Business Operators
（1） About points to note
・Stimulation of fire ants may cause stabbing.
・If you find an individual or nest that is suspected to be a fire ant, do not irritate (try to step on an ant, break the nest, etc.).
（2） About the response when stabbed
・First, rest (about 20 to 30 minutes), and if your condition changes rapidly, consult your nearest hospital.
・At the time of consultation, please tell them that you have been stuck by an ant and that you may have anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction).