Image reproduced from 公視新聞

On June 14, a pig carcass washed ashore at Cidi Beach in Jinning Township, Kinmen County, prompting local authorities to collect samples for testing. The Council of Agriculture confirmed on June 17 that the samples tested positive for the African Swine Fever virus, which corresponds with the gene sequence of the second genotype of the virus prevalent in China.

In response to this finding, the Council of Agriculture announced, under the Animal Infectious Disease Control Act, that from now until June 23, the transport of pigs and pig products from Kinmen to Taiwan's main island and other affiliated islands is prohibited. This measure aims to prevent the spread of the African Swine Fever virus and to safeguard Taiwan's pork industry.

Upon receiving the report, the disease control unit immediately dispatched personnel to the site to collect samples from the carcass, which were subsequently incinerated and buried on-site. All personnel, vehicles, and equipment involved underwent decontamination, and the area was thoroughly disinfected to mitigate any risk of viral spread. The samples were sent to the Veterinary Research Institute under the Council of Agriculture for PCR testing, revealing a 100% similarity to the strains currently circulating in mainland China.

The disease control unit reported that there are 25 pig farms within a 10-kilometer radius of the discovery site, housing over 5,500 pigs in total. Veterinary officers from local offices conducted inspections to confirm the health status of the pigs, all of which were found to be healthy and well-managed.

Due to Kinmen's proximity to the Chinese coast, it is susceptible to influences from ocean currents and seasonal winds, which have led to previous incidents of pig carcasses washing ashore. All parties that came into contact with the site have completed disinfection and monitoring measures to ensure adequate disease surveillance. To safeguard against further risks, the Council of Agriculture issued an announcement prohibiting the transportation of pigs, carcasses, internal organs, and all types of fresh and processed products from Kinmen to Taiwan and other islands from June 17 to 23.

However, if businesses apply through the county government and pass a foot-and-mouth disease risk assessment, they may still be allowed to transport products listed on the inspection agency’s approved list.

Currently, approved Kinmen products available for export include dried pig (beef) products, traditional sweets, baked goods, prepared meals, beef snacks, beef extract beverages, frozen cooked meats, and radish cakes, produced by over 30 qualified manufacturers, including well-known brands such as Shengzu, Liangjin, and Yuantou Agriculture. The disease control unit urges pig farmers to implement self-prevention measures, enhance entry and exit management, conduct regular disinfection, and prohibit feeding pigs with kitchen waste to prevent disease transmission. Only through increased vigilance and collective efforts can Taiwan effectively guard against the threat of African Swine Fever.