The veterinary authority sent an Immediate Notification dated 29 October to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

The first outbreak started on 24 September at Yuanshan Township in the I-Lan region in north-east Taiwan. A total of 962 pigs were involved, of which, there were 245 cases and 381 animals were destroyed.

The second outbreak started in the same town on 3 October. Of the 888 pigs on that farm, there were 144 cases.

The source of infection is unknown or inconclusive.

According to the OIE report, the two pig farms with suspected FMD cases were noted in I-Lan county by the local disease control centre. Movement restrictions were conducted on these farms, serum and swab samples were collected and sent to the national laboratory (Animal Health Research Institute). The laboratory results confirmed positive NSP antibody reaction in serum samples from two index farms. The pigs with lesions and others in the same pen in the farm of outbreak 2 were destroyed (total 381 head), according to the positive reaction of viral RNA product detected by RT-PCR. Virus isolation are underway. FMD vaccination, the cleaning and disinfection of the index farms have been completed.

The monitoring and epidemiological investigation of those surrounding farms that keep cloven-hoofed animals within 3-km radius of the index farms had been completed. No clinical or epidemiological evidence of infection were found.

The last outbreak of FMD in Taiwan was in June 2012.

Further Reading Find out more information on FMD by clicking here.