Taiwanese authorities confirmed African swine fever at a pig farm in Taichung, raising concerns about biosecurity and meat safety. Initial tests indicate the virus strain closely matches the type found in Vietnam. African swine fever requires immediate containment due to its high economic and agricultural impact.
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency Animal Quarantine Division chief Lin Nien-nung said the Veterinary Research Institute is completing full gene sequencing. He stressed that Taiwan maintains strict border protections against African swine fever, covering all affected countries.
The Taichung City Government reported that the farm sold 28 hogs last Monday. Tracing revealed 23 hogs went to local buyers, four to Changhua County, and one to Chiayi. Officials are tracking where the resulting meat products reached. Lin added that authorities test all pigs before and after slaughter. So far, no symptoms such as abnormal bleeding have appeared among the animals.
The city government faced criticism for waiting 10 days to collect samples after abnormal deaths appeared on October 10. Officials initially refrained from testing because the pigs showed no African swine fever symptoms. They collected samples only after a second report on Monday.
Minister of Agriculture Chen Junne-jih said local authorities must test immediately when abnormal deaths occur. He explained that a 3 percent death rate in a farm of 200 to 500 hogs counts as abnormal and requires investigation. Chen warned that preventing officials from collecting samples is illegal. Investigators will determine whether the farm owner obstructed testing.
The African swine fever outbreak in Taichung highlights Taiwan’s vulnerability to transboundary animal diseases. Authorities are urging farmers to reinforce biosecurity, monitor livestock closely, and support tracing of meat products. Additional testing and monitoring will guide any further containment measures.
