A dead pig washed ashore in Kinmen County's Jinning Township was discovered on June 14. After testing the samples collected by the quarantine authority, the Ministry of Agriculture confirmed today (17th) that the samples tested positive for African swine fever virus nucleic acid, matching the genetically sequenced strain commonly circulating in China. Based on the Animal Infectious Disease Control Act, the Ministry has announced that all pig and pork product transportation from Kinmen to Taiwan and other offshore islands will be suspended from today until June 23.

This incident prompted an immediate response from the quarantine authority, which sent personnel to the site to collect samples before burning and burying the carcass on-site. All personnel, vehicles, and equipment involved in the operation underwent thorough disinfection, and the area has been completely sanitized. Samples were subsequently sent to the Ministry of Agriculture's Veterinary Research Institute for PCR testing, which confirmed that the virus is 100% similar to the strains prevalent in mainland China.

The quarantine authority noted that there are 25 pig farms within a 10-kilometer radius of where the dead pig was found, housing over 5,500 pigs. Veterinarians from local offices have conducted health checks, finding that the pigs are in good health and under normal management. As Kinmen is close to the Chinese coast, it is frequently affected by ocean currents and monsoons, leading to occasional discoveries of washed-up pigs. Comprehensive disinfection and monitoring of all related entities have already been completed.

To ensure the safety of Taiwan's pork industry, the Ministry of Agriculture has announced a ban on the transportation of pigs, carcasses, offal, and all kinds of fresh and processed products from Kinmen to Taiwan and other offshore islands from June 17 to 23. However, if businesses are registered and pass foot-and-mouth disease risk assessments upon application to the county government, they may still be allowed to transport certain products.

Approved Kinmen products that may still be exported include pork (beef) jerky, rice candy, baked buns, meal kits, beef snacks, beef extract drinks, and frozen cooked meats, produced by over 30 qualified companies, including renowned brands such as Shengzu, Liangjin, and Yuantou Agricultural and Animal Husbandry. The quarantine authority urges pig farms to implement self-prevention measures, enhance entry and exit management, and prohibit the feeding of kitchen waste to pigs to prevent the introduction of diseases.