TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan authorities confirmed Thursday (Oct. 23) that preliminary tests detected an African swine fever virus strain similar to Vietnam's variant at a Taichung pig farm. Lin Nien-nung (林念農), head of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency (農業部防檢署), Taiwan's agricultural inspection authority, announced the discovery. Taichung officials reported the suspected outbreak Wednesday (Oct. 22).
The Ministry of Agriculture (農業部) imposed a nationwide five-day ban on pig transportation and slaughter to contain the potential outbreak spread. Lin emphasized that Taiwan's border defense against African swine fever targets all affected regions globally, not exclusively China. Taiwan will implement stringent control measures for all countries currently experiencing African swine fever outbreaks.
The affected farm sent 28 pigs to market Oct. 13, but Lin assured all animals underwent strict health inspections before and after slaughter without detecting abnormalities. Michelle Li (李慧芝), spokesperson for the Executive Yuan (行政院), Taiwan's cabinet, confirmed the auctioned pigs were healthy and successfully passed all mandatory sanitary inspections conducted by authorities.
Taichung City government reported the 28 pigs were distributed across Taichung, Changhua, and Chiayi counties throughout central Taiwan. Officials assured they will continue tracing the meat's downstream distribution channels to ensure public safety and consumer protection. The comprehensive tracking effort aims to monitor all products and derivatives from the potentially affected livestock shipment. ◼
