Experts warn of problems if wild boars infected with African swine fever
專家示警：如果野豬感染非洲豬瘟，將會引發問題。
| TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Experts have warned that Taiwan could remain an African swine fever epidemic zone if wild pigs become infected, following an ASF outbreak at a pig farm in Taichung.
After the first domestic case was reported at a pig farm in Taichung’s Wuqi District, the agriculture ministry imposed a nationwide ban on feeding kitchen waste to pigs, per Liberty Times. While other cities and counties have used incinerators or composting methods, Taichung has opted to pile kitchen waste in open areas, some of which are located near wild pig habitats. The Forestry Bureau reported sightings of wild pigs in Taichung’s Wufeng and Houli districts, with Shalu District considered a potential habitat. Experts warn that if wild pigs consume kitchen waste contaminated with the ASF virus, it could cause widespread contamination. The Forestry Bureau collaborates with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency to monitor wild pig populations annually. Currently, there are no reported cases of wild pigs infected with ASF in Taiwan. David Tan (譚大倫), president of the Taiwan Veterinary Medical Association, said Taiwan’s foothill wild pig populations are large and active. He explained that while infected wild pigs may not show immediate symptoms, they would shed the virus, contaminating land and water sources. Infected wild pigs would pass the virus to neighboring populations, with some pigs continuing to carry the virus and transmitting it to their offspring. These pigs could also spread the virus to nearby hog farms. Tan warned that once the virus infects wild pigs, Taiwan would never be able to return to an ASF-free status. At the farm in Wuqi, the virus can adhere to surfaces, remaining viable in the environment for about three months. He said disinfection requires thoroughly cleaning all surfaces in the farm, either by burning or washing with detergent, before applying a disinfectant solution. Since the outbreak, media and curious onlookers have flocked to the site. Tan warned that the virus could spread through the movement of people and vehicles. Tan added that Taiwan’s ability to overcome this outbreak depends on actions taken in the next three months. He called for all pig farms to implement strict biosecurity measures, even after the ban is lifted on Nov. 6, “Otherwise, there will definitely be more farms affected.” Lin Jau-nan, a professor at National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, said that all kitchen waste should now be treated as potentially contaminated. He criticized Taichung’s open-air waste disposal method and suggested the city collaborate with neighboring counties like Changhua and Yunlin to manage the waste safely. Alternatively, Lin proposed that the city consider working with private biogas companies to process the waste along with animal manure and convert it into energy. |
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| Keoni Everington Taiwan News, Staff Writer | |
| 2025-10-29 |
