Two FMD Outbreaks in Taiwan; Situation Resolved
TAIWAN - The Taiwanese veterinary authorities have reported two new outbreaks of foot and mouth disease at pig farms in Taipei and Tainan cities.
10 August 2011
2 minute read
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) received an immediate notification yesterday, 9 August. According to the report, the issue was resolved on Monday, 8 August, in both farms.
A total of 733 pigs were found susceptible to the disease, out of which 17 cases were reported. No deaths were recorded, and no animals were destroyed.
During the routine active FMD serological surveillance, NSP antibodies were detected on 2 pig farms which located in New Taipei City (former name was Taipei County) and Tainan City (former name was Tainan County). The investigation showed that all pigs on those farms were clinically healthy.
Serum and throat swab samples (15 samples from each outbreak) for serological tests and virus isolation were collected and sent to the national laboratory (Animal Health Research Institute).
The laboratory confirmed positive results with NSP antibody (9 positive cases from outbreak 1 and 8 positive cases from outbreak 2), whereas the results of virus isolation and RT-PCR were all negative. The serotype O was identified by using FMD ELISA kit.
The monitoring and epidemiological investigation of the index farms and those surrounding farms that keep cloven-hoofed animals (a total of 40 pig farms, 3 cattle farms, 3 deer farms and 6 goat farms within 3-km radius of the index farms) have been done and no clinical or epidemiological evidence of infection was found.
The source of the outbreak remains inconclusive.
TheCattleSite News Desk
