African swine fever (ASF) outbreak in Taiwan

(Photo: Pixabay)

Agriculture Minister Chen Chun-chi said the case would only be officially reported to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) once the virus strain is isolated. Chen said it would take two weeks to isolate the virus, but the island could not wait and would take the strictest measures to prevent and contain a possible outbreak. After samples from dead animals from a pig farm in Taichung tested positive for ASF on Tuesday, authorities banned the transport and slaughter of pigs on the island for five days from midday on Wednesday. After the farm was disinfected, a three-kilometer control zone was set up. The minister said the most likely source of the infection was food waste from illegally imported pork products that may have ended up in pig farms.

It is prohibited to bring any meat or meat products into Taiwan without veterinary inspection

Fines of up to NT$1 million (about US$32,500) can be imposed for violating the ban. African swine fever is a highly contagious, often fatal viral disease of domestic pigs and wild boars. There is currently no effective vaccine or treatment against the disease, so it can spread rapidly and cause significant losses to livestock keepers. It is not dangerous to humans or other animal species. According to a WOAH report in October, South Korea is currently the only Asian country with an active ASF outbreak, while twelve countries in Europe are battling the virus.

MTI