Flu

The Ministry of Agriculture is imposing an immediate five-day nationwide ban
on the transport and slaughter of all pigs after a suspected case African
Swine Fever at a farm in Taichung.

Agriculture Minister Chen Junne-jih says starting now, all movement and
slaughter of pigs nationwide will be suspended for five days.

Additionally, the use of food waste for pig feed is now entirely prohibited.

This comes after a sample taken from a deceased pig at a farm in Taichung's
Wuqi District tested positive for genetic material from the ASF virus.

However, final confirmation requires the isolation of the virus strain, which
is still ongoing.

Officials say movement restrictions were immediately initiated on the
affected farm and surrounding farms within a three-kilometer radius.

And all 195 pigs on the affected farm have been preventively culled.

African Swine Fever does not transmit to humans, but has a nearly 100 percent
mortality rate in pigs and currently has no vaccine.

(NS)