FMD Breaks Out in Taipei
TAIWAN - The Taiwanese veterinary authorities have reported an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in pigs.
18 May 2011
1 minute read
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) received an immediate notification on 17 May. According to the report, the outbreak took place at a pig farm in Hsinchu City.
A total of 123 pigs were found susceptible to the disease, out of which 14 cases were identified. No deaths were recorded, and no animals were destroyed.
According to the report, during the routine active FMD serological surveillance, NSP antibodies were detected on a pig farm. The investigation showed that all pigs on the farm were clinically healthy. Fifteen serum and throat swab samples for serological tests and virus isolation were collected and sent to the National Laboratory (Animal Health Research Institute).
The laboratory confirmed 14 positive results for NSP, whereas the results of virus isolation and RT-PCR were all negative. The O serotype was demonstrated by using FMDV ELISA kit on 10 May 2011.
The monitoring and epidemiological investigation of the index farm and its surrounding cloven-hoofed animal farms (a total of 32 pig farms, 1 goat/cattle farm and 2 goat farms within 3-km radius of the index farm) have been done and no clinical or epidemiological evidence of infection was found.
The source of the outbreak remains inconclusive.
