Taiwan Responds Swiftly to First Cases of African Swine Fever

Taiwan has taken decisive action following the detection of its first cases of African swine fever, leading to the culling of dozens of pigs. The agriculture ministry confirmed on Thursday that no further infections have been reported elsewhere on the island. The disease, which poses no threat to human health, is highly contagious and fatal for pigs, raising significant concerns for the pork industry.

Deputy Agriculture Minister Tu Wen-jane addressed the media during a news conference in Taichung, the central city where the infections were identified. “No abnormalities have been observed (elsewhere) so far,” he stated. The ministry reported that samples from deceased pigs at a farm in the Wuqi district tested positive for the virus earlier this month. Consequently, 195 pigs have already been culled to mitigate the risk of a larger outbreak.

To prevent further spread of the infection, authorities established a three-kilometre (1.9 miles) control zone around the affected area. Additionally, the transportation and slaughtering of pigs across Taiwan has been suspended for five days, a measure intended to contain the situation.

The pork industry in Taiwan is substantial, with approximately five million pigs contributing to an annual revenue of about NT$70 billion (US$2.3 billion) according to official data. In light of the outbreak, President Lai Ching-te has urged the public to remain calm while emphasizing the need for vigilance among local governments, livestock associations, and pig farmers.

In a statement on social media, Lai called for immediate reporting of any unusual deaths or suspected infections among pigs to local animal quarantine authorities. “We must work together to ensure that we contain this situation effectively,” he added.

With the swift response from Taiwan’s agriculture ministry and government officials, there is hope that the situation can be managed without significant disruption to the pork industry. The coming days will be critical as authorities monitor the control measures in place and assess the overall health of the livestock population on the island.