Taichung farm confirmed as site of Taiwan's 1st African swine fever outbreak

Taipei, Oct. 25 (CNA) The case of African swine fever (ASF) at a farm in Taichung marked the first domestic outbreak of the infectious disease in Taiwan, the Central Emergency Operation Center responding to ASF confirmed Saturday.

Agriculture Minister Chen Junne-jih (陳駿季) told a news conference that the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) would be notified of the matter after samples of dead pigs at the farm tested positive for the nucleic acid of the ASF virus on Tuesday.

● Hog farms test negative for ASF virus, concerns remain: Minister

● African swine fever control measures to last 15 days: MOA

Speaking at the same news conference, Minister without Portfolio Chen Shih-chung (陳時中) said authorities expect to complete nationwide testing of hog farms by Sunday.

Preliminary findings show no evidence of the virus spreading, Chen Shih-chung added.