TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Authorities culled 129,344 chickens and destroyed over 90,000 eggs across three Chiayi County poultry farms following H5N1 avian flu detections starting Thursday (Jan. 2). The county government dispatched emergency response teams within hours of the first confirmed case to contain the outbreak. Officials completed the two-week culling operation across affected facilities in Puzi and Minxiong townships.
Chiang Hsin-heng (蔣昕恆), a technician with Chiayi County's Livestock Disease Control Center (家畜疾病防治所), confirmed authorities received reports from layer and broiler farms on Thursday. The center immediately initiated culling operations after laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the H5N1 virus strain. Experts attribute the outbreak to cold weather weakening poultry immunity and migratory bird contact during the winter migration period.
Taiwan has recorded seven avian flu outbreaks in poultry farms since last September as migratory birds winter in the region. The current outbreak affected farms in Puzi (朴子) and Minxiong (民雄) townships, where operators promptly identified and reported abnormal poultry deaths. Poultry contact with migratory birds during the winter period poses a significant risk of infection, with officials warning farm operators to maintain heightened biosecurity measures.
Prevention units have issued warnings to farm operators about mandatory reporting requirements, with penalties up to NT$1 million (around US$32,258) for non-compliance. Farms that fail to report outbreaks promptly will not receive compensation for culling operations, authorities confirmed on Wednesday. Officials urge strict adherence to preventive measures, including enhanced biosecurity protocols and limiting contact with wild birds, as the winter migration period continues through March. ◼ (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$31)
