Taiwan, long lauded for its robust agricultural safeguards, is facing an unprecedented challenge after reporting its first-ever outbreak of African swine fever (ASF). Authorities moved swiftly on October 22, 2025, to contain the highly contagious disease, culling at least 195 pigs at a farm in Taichung’s Wuci District and imposing a strict, nationwide five-day ban on the movement and slaughter of pigs. The Ministry of Agriculture, under the leadership of Minister Chen Junne-jih, described the situation as urgent, noting that the virus was confirmed at the Taichung farm after samples from dead pigs tested positive the previous evening.
According to ABC and the Associated Press, the outbreak marks a significant blow to Taiwan’s agricultural reputation. Until this week, Taiwan was the only country in Asia officially certified as free of classical swine fever (CSF), African swine fever, and foot-and-mouth disease—a status granted by the World Organisation for Animal Health in May 2025. The loss of this status underscores the seriousness of the current crisis, especially given the island’s history of successfully blocking the virus at its borders while it swept across Asia since 2018.
Minister Chen emphasized at a news conference, “Virus isolation takes two weeks, but we can’t wait. We must implement the highest standards to prevent and control this suspected case of African swine fever.” The Ministry’s response included not only the immediate culling of the infected herd but also a comprehensive disinfection of the farm and the establishment of a 3-kilometer control zone restricting movement around the affected area. The goal, officials said, is to prevent any further spread of the virus, which is notorious for its resilience and lethality among pigs.
The Ministry of Agriculture’s ban, which began at noon on October 22, applies to all pig transport and slaughter nationwide for at least five days, pending further developments. Feeding pigs with kitchen waste—a suspected route for the virus’s introduction—has also been prohibited. Authorities are monitoring the health of all pigs in the area, investigating the source of infection, and have reviewed transport routes and 33 associated farms, reporting no abnormalities so far.
The rapid response didn’t end there. An emergency response center was set up on-site in Taichung, and all meat markets, as well as vehicles used for transporting hogs, are being thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Pigs that were already in transit before the ban are permitted to enter meat markets and slaughterhouses, but they cannot leave those facilities. Taiwan has also temporarily halted all pork product exports in an effort to reassure trading partners and prevent the virus from spreading beyond its borders.
President William Lai addressed the nation on October 22, urging calm and emphasizing the government’s commitment to strict disease-prevention measures. “People do not need to panic, as African swine fever cannot be transmitted from animals to humans,” he wrote on Facebook, echoing guidance from the Central Emergency Operations Center for African Swine Fever. The Center warned, however, that the virus is highly contagious among pigs and can survive for about 100 days in refrigerated pork, up to 1,000 days in frozen pork, and a month inside pigpens—making eradication a daunting task.
The economic stakes are high. Pork is a staple in Taiwanese cuisine, and the pork industry is a central pillar of the nation’s agriculture, generating about NT$70 billion (US$2.3 billion) annually, as reported by Taiwan’s Ministry of Agriculture. The outbreak, therefore, threatens not only animal health but also the livelihoods of farmers and the broader food supply chain.
Minister Chen did not mince words regarding the probable source of the infection. He stated, “The most likely route of transmission is from outside Taiwan, through the illegal importation of pork products, which ultimately find their way to pig farms through food waste systems.” This pathway has been a persistent concern for Taiwanese authorities, who prohibit bringing in any meat or meat products without proper inspection and quarantine. The penalties for violations are steep—fines can reach up to 1 million Taiwan dollars (about US$32,500)—but the risk remains, especially given the virus’s track record in the region.
The scale of the challenge is illustrated by recent history. In 2019, millions of pigs were culled in China and Vietnam as ASF swept through the region, leading to significant losses and disruptions in pork supply. Presently, according to the World Organisation for Animal Health’s October report, only South Korea in Asia has a confirmed ongoing ASF outbreak, along with twelve countries in Europe. Taiwan’s sudden inclusion on this list is a stark reminder of the virus’s persistent threat and the difficulties of maintaining disease-free status amid globalized trade and travel.
Authorities are not only focused on immediate containment but are also taking long-term steps to ensure the virus does not become entrenched. The Ministry is monitoring the health of all pigs in the affected area, reviewing the networks of transport and farm associations, and ramping up public awareness. The ban on feeding pigs with kitchen waste is particularly significant, as food waste systems have been implicated in previous outbreaks elsewhere in Asia.
Despite the gravity of the situation, officials are keen to highlight that ASF does not pose a direct risk to human health. The virus is nearly always fatal to swine but does not affect people or animals outside the pig family. Nevertheless, the psychological and economic impact on Taiwan’s farmers is profound. The culling of 195 pigs at the Taichung farm, while a necessary precaution, is a sobering reminder of how quickly a single outbreak can disrupt an entire sector.
The Ministry of Agriculture’s swift and comprehensive response has drawn praise from some quarters, but it also raises questions about the vulnerabilities of even the most prepared nations. Taiwan’s status as an agricultural stronghold has been hard-won, and the government’s actions in the coming weeks will be closely watched—both at home and abroad. The hope is that by acting decisively now, Taiwan can limit the damage and restore its hard-earned disease-free status.
For now, the ban remains in place, with authorities urging vigilance and cooperation from farmers, transporters, and the general public. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether Taiwan’s containment measures can halt the spread of African swine fever and safeguard the future of its vital pork industry.