African swine fever virus related to China, Vietnam strains: Ministry

Taipei, Oct. 31 (CNA) The Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) on Friday said gene sequencing of Taiwan's first African swine fever cases shows the virus is closely related to strains from China and Vietnam.

At a news conference, Deng Ming-chung (鄧明中), director-general of the MOA's Veterinary Research Institute, said the cases showed 99.95 percent and 99.92 percent similarity to recombinant strains from China and Vietnam, respectively.

Deng said the results only reveal the arrangement of genes, and tracing the virus's exact source would require matching any differences to a known sequence.

Without such a reference in existing gene databases, it is difficult to pinpoint the origin, and authorities can only indicate an approximate source, he added.

Deng said Taiwan will submit the gene sequencing data to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) to fulfill its responsibility as a member of the international community.

● Swine fever gene test results expected Friday: Agriculture ministry

Du Li-hwa (杜麗華), director-general of the MOA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency, said submitting gene sequencing data is not mandatory, but doing so allows other countries to understand the current circulating strains.

The African swine fever cases at a pig farm in Taichung's Wuqi District were publicly confirmed on Oct. 25.