TAIPEI, Oct 23 — Taiwan has culled dozens of pigs following the detection of its first African swine fever cases, the Agriculture Ministry announced today, adding that no other infections have been found elsewhere on the island so far.
TAIPEI, Oct 23 — Taiwan has culled dozens of pigs following the detection of its first African swine fever cases, the Agriculture Ministry announced today, adding that no other infections have been found elsewhere on the island so far.
The disease — harmless to humans but highly contagious and deadly to pigs — poses a serious threat to the pork industry, experts warn.
“So far, no abnormalities have been detected in other areas,” Deputy Agriculture Minister Tu Wen-jane said at a press conference in Taichung, the central city where the infections were discovered.
According to the ministry, samples taken from dead pigs at a farm in Wuqi District tested positive for the virus earlier this month, leading to the culling of 195 pigs.
Authorities have established a three-kilometre (1.9-mile) control zone around the affected area to prevent further spread of the disease. Pig transport and slaughter across the island have also been suspended for five days.
Taiwan has an estimated five million pigs, and its pork industry contributes about NT$70 billion (US$2.3 billion) annually, official data show.
President Lai Ching-te urged the public to remain calm, calling on local governments, livestock associations, and pig farmers to stay alert.
“If any abnormal deaths or suspected infections are detected among pigs, please report them immediately to local animal quarantine authorities,” Lai said in a Facebook post. — AFP
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