 |
| Beached ASF-Positive Pigs - Taiwan BAPHIQ |
#13,996
For the second day in a row (see yesterday's report), and for the third time in less than a month (see March report), Taiwan's BAPHIQ (Bureau of Animal Plant Health Inspection & Quarantine) is reporting on the discovery of an African Swine Fever (ASF) infected pig found washed up on one of their territorial beaches.
These beachings have been ongoing since late December (see ASF: When Pigs Float), and the carcasses appear to have been dumped into rivers and streams (probably in Fujian Province), and carried out to sea.We've seen similar events involving avian flu infected poultry washing up on the beaches of Hong Kong, again presumed to have been disposed of by farmers in local rivers. While obviously a very bad idea if the goal is to contain the virus - to some farmers - it is apparently preferable to notifying local authorities of an outbreak.
Taiwan, which has also interdicted dozens of ASF-positive food products being brought into the country by travelers from China (and recently, from Vietnam), is desperate to keep the virus from gaining a foothold in their country.
 |
Taiwan isn't alone in this endeavor, as ASF contaminated Chinese food products have also been intercepted entering Japan, South Korea, Australia, and likely other countries we aren't aware of.
Below you'll find (translated) excerpts from today's announcement.
China's mainland drifting Jinmen pigs, detected African porcine virus nucleic acid positive, continue to strengthen border control and epidemic prevention measures
The Central Hunger Disaster Response Center (Strain Center) of Africa has said that on April 7th, a dead pig that drifted ashore was found on the shore of the Shihu Park in Jinhu Town, Jinmen County, and the animal and plant epidemic prevention in Jinmen County was passed. The institute (Golden Door Epidemic Prevention Institute) sent samples to the Agricultural Animal Health Laboratory (AID) of the COA. It was detected positive for African swine fever virus nucleic acid today, and the gene fragment was 100% similar to the isolates from mainland China.
According to the geographical location, the pig should only drift from mainland China. At present, there are 5 cases of positive detection of African swine fever virus nucleic acid in Haipeng pigs (3 cases in Jinmen County and 2 cases in Lianjiang County).
According to the Strain Center, the Golden Gate Epidemic Prevention Station received a notification from the Golden Gate patrol area of the Hailan Customs on April 7th. A dead pig was found on the bank of Nanshihu Park in Jinhu Town. The station rushed to the scene to learn about the collection of relevant samples. Only the body was burned and buried on the spot, and the body was sent to the animal husbandry for inspection. The relevant samples were detected by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the results showed that the African swine fever virus nucleic acid was positive, and the gene fragment sequence was 100% similar to the genetic fragment of the African swine fever virus strain in mainland China.
The strain center added that the location of the dead pigs has been completely disinfected by the Golden Gate Epidemic Prevention Station. Six pig farms with a radius of 3 km were found. The clinics were performed by the veterinarians of the public office. The health condition was good, no abnormal situation, and the mobile control was implemented. And sampling monitoring. In order to ensure the overall safety of the industry, the Jinmen County pigs and their products will be suspended for Taiwan and other outlying islands for at least one week, but the dried pork and pork pine produced by the 7 companies that passed the inspection before April 9, 108 are still Can be exported to Taiwan Island and other outlying islands.
The Strain Center pointed out that Jinmen County is adjacent to the Jiulong River exit of Fujian Province in Fujian Province. It was found that the sea drifting pigs also found sea-drift rubbish in simplified form. The comprehensive judgment should be drifted from mainland China. In response to this case, disinfection measures have been carried out for persons, vehicles, equipment and areas in contact with the pig.
(Continue . . . )
Despite 5 reports of ASF-infected pigs washing up on Taiwan's islands over the past 3 months, the closest Mainland Province and most likely source of the carcasses - Fujian - hasn't officially reported an outbreak of African Swine Fever since December 24th, 2018.
Just one of the reasons that lead many observers to suspect that China's ASF problem remains significantly under-reported.
