The Central Disaster Response Center for African Swine Fever announced today (17th) that a pig carcass was discovered drifting ashore in Kinmen on the 14th. Samples were taken and tested, with results confirming African swine fever virus nucleic acid positivity on the 17th. To ensure industry safety, the Ministry of Agriculture has decided to halt the import of pigs and pork products from Kinmen to Taiwan and other islands from the 17th to the 23rd.

The Kinmen County Epidemic Prevention Institute immediately dispatched personnel to the site for sampling and conducted incineration and burial of the deceased pig. Related personnel and equipment have undergone thorough cleaning and sanitation. The samples were tested using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods, confirming the virus was positive and showing 100% similarity to the prevalent second genotype of the African swine fever virus in Mainland China.

The Kinmen County government reported that within a 10-kilometer radius of the site, there are 25 pig farms raising more than 5,500 pigs. Local veterinarians have inspected these farms and confirmed that the health management of the pigs is normal. Due to Kinmen's geographical proximity to Mainland China, it is often affected by ocean currents and monsoons, occasionally leading to the discovery of deceased pigs floating along the coastline with debris. To ensure industry safety, the Ministry of Agriculture has implemented this import ban.