Taiwan confirmed its first case of African swine fever (ASF) after a pig carcass sample sent from Taichung on October 21 tested positive for the virus, the Agriculture Ministry announced on Wednesday. President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) said the government had immediately established a control zone and activated emergency response measures, emphasizing that “disease prevention is like warfare and that the government will be on full alert and respond proactively.” 

Starting from noon on Wednesday, authorities imposed a five-day nationwide ban on the transport and slaughter of pigs, as well as a total ban on the use of kitchen waste as animal feed as part of seven top-tier containment measures designed to stop the virus from spreading. Officials said the restrictions could be extended depending on how the situation develops and that the Agriculture Ministry would release refrigerated and frozen pork from reserves to stabilize supply.

Department of Animal Industry Director Lee Yi-chien (李宜謙) guarantees that existing stocks at meat markets and cold storage facilities are sufficient to meet domestic demand for at least a month, meaning the five-day ban should not affect consumers.

Deputy Agriculture Minister Tu Wen-chen (杜文珍) said Taiwan has now suspended all pork exports “as a responsible exporter” until the situation is fully clarified. Taiwan was certified by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) as free from major swine diseases. As of the end of September, Taiwan had exported more than 250 metric tons of fresh and frozen pork. 

In a statement posted to Facebook, President Lai reassured the public that ASF is not transmissible to humans and urged citizens not to panic. He said the government had set up a command center in Taichung, headed by Deputy Agriculture Minister Tu, to coordinate on-site containment efforts and ensure food supply stability. Lai also called on local governments, livestock associations, and pig farmers to stay vigilant and report any abnormal deaths or suspected infections immediately.