Cabinet forms emergency response center after ASF detected in Taiwan

Cabinet forms emergency response center after ASF detected in Taiwan

2025-10-22

Taiwan has reported its first suspected domestic case of African swine fever. Two pigs from a farm in Taichung have tested positive for the disease, and the cabinet has taken immediate emergency response measures against a full-on domestic outbreak. The transport and slaughter of pigs has been banned for five days as a precautionary measure.

Premier Cho Jung-tai has formed the central emergency response center for African swine fever, after a suspected domestic outbreak was reported with pigs testing positive for the disease in Taichung.

Chen Nien-nung
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency
A total of 117 pigs died from Oct. 10 to Oct. 20. Two pigs were sent in for testing, and both tested positive for the African swine fever virus. We also culled the pigs from the farms where the samples came from as a precaution.

Epidemic prevention personnel in full protective gear spray disinfectant at the pig farm and surrounding areas cordoned off.

One-by-one, the crane lifts dead pigs onto the truck. They are to be delivered to a designated burial site. The 3km perimeter of this pig farm is now a restricted zone. Vehicles in contact with the area will be strictly monitored.

Chang Ching-chang
Taichung Agricultural Bureau
There are a total of seven pig farms that transportation vehicles pass through. We have implemented access restrictions on these farms.

The Ministry of Agriculture also announced seven major response measures, including a nation-wide ban on the transportation and slaughtering of pigs, as well as using kitchen waste as feed, for a total of five days.

Cho Jung-tai
Premier
We must determine the cause of the disease and conduct thorough pathological examinations to trace its source. We must stabilize market supply, and more importantly, keep prices stable. We must distribute frozen meat to meet market demand.

Cho details some of the first response measures the government must take to weather this crisis.

Michelle Lee
Executive Yuan spokesperson
We will continue with 100% x-ray border inspections as we always have, as well as increase the rate of manual inspections. The premier has emphasized that pigs that died with the disease will not enter the market, and he’s emphasized the need to strengthen package inspections.

So far, no signs pointing to a larger outbreak have been found at the farm where the infected pigs were purchased, the transport vehicles that visited the farm, or any pig farms within the 3km zone. Response measures must be implemented as quickly and extensively as possible to minimize the risk of an epidemic.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#africanswinefever #pig #pork #taiwan #animal #disease #swine #hog #asf

非洲豬瘟疑入侵台灣卓榮泰強化食安把關、邊境查驗

2025-10-22

台中豬場出現首例疑似非洲豬瘟案例，行政院長卓榮泰立刻召集各部會，最鎮非洲豬瘟中央災害應變中心，表示要以最高標準因應，全力降低疫情衝擊；除了做好食品安全把關，也全面檢驗各項防疫重點環節，加強強化邊境走私查緝與肉品檢驗頻率。

行政院長卓榮泰坐鎮非洲豬瘟中央災害應變中心，5月好不容易台灣才成為三大豬瘟非疫國，如今台中卻出現破口。

[[防檢署動物防治組長陳念農]]
“10/10到10/20，已經有117頭豬隻的死亡，送檢了兩頭豬隻的檢體，都是有呈現非洲豬瘟病毒核酸陽性反應，也對案例場這個部分，我們進行預防性的一個撲殺”

防疫人員身穿全套防護衣如臨大敵，在養豬場四周拉出封鎖線，消毒防疫車進駐噴灑消毒。

化製車吊臂，吊掛起一隻隻死亡豬隻，往後斗裝載，將送往合法掩埋場，事發豬場鄰近3公里範圍內設立管制區，進行嚴格移動管制。

[[台中市農業局長張敬昌]]
“運輸車有接觸的豬場，以及化製車有接觸的豬場，在台中市一共有七場，我們也做相關移動管制”

農業部宣布七大因應措施，包括為期五天，全國豬隻禁運、禁宰，即日起禁止使用廚餘餵養等。

[[行政院長卓榮泰]]
“要確認這個病因，病檢全面追溯它的來源，要穩定市場的供應，尤其讓價格能夠平穩，一定要以冷凍的肉品釋出，來協助市場的供應需求”

卓榮泰緊急應變，要求溯源、穩定市場供需，另外相關查驗也不敢掉以輕心。

[[行政院發言人李慧芝]]
“持續的維持過去以來，百分之百X光的邊境的查驗，並且會提高人工檢驗的比率，院長已經強調，病死豬不會流入到市面，也強調要強化關於包裹檢驗的部分”

不過目前疫調，買豬的豬場、來過豬場的運輸車，以及周圍三公里豬場都沒有異樣。中央要在最短時間、最小範圍掌握情形，將疫情風險降到最低。

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Customer finds silica gel in drink from Kaohsiung cafe

A Kaohsiung café customer recently found an unpleasant surprise in their drink. They felt something crunchy in the drink, at first mistaking it for hazelnut only to discover it was actually silica gel desiccants. Packets of these clear little balls are often found in snacks to absorb moisture, but always with a warning not to eat them. The café said they accidently mixed up the desiccant with cocoa powder and apologized profusely.

For many people, a strong cup of coffee is the best way to kickstart the day. But one Kaohsiung café customer recently found something strange in their morning cocoa.

Small, clear balls rise to the surface. But these aren’t tapioca pearls. They’re silica gel desiccants. A customer ordered a hazelnut chocolate drink and first thought the crunchy addition was hazelnuts, but soon discovered the unfortunate truth.

Member of public
If this happened to me, I would definitely bepretty outraged, but I would see what their attitude was like.

Member of public
I would feel out of sorts because they’re bad for your health.

It’s scary to accidently swallow silica gel because people worry it could affect their health. Yet the customer said the store manager only gave a refund and told them to monitor their condition, without offering any apology or compensation.

Café employee
One packet of silica gel broke, so some of it got mixed in when I was making the drink. I didn’t notice it because it’s transparent. I’m usually very careful, but it’s a serious mistake for something like this to happen. I’m very sorry.

The employee explained that there was a packet of silica gel in a jar of cocoa power to keep it dry. But they didn’t notice the packet had broken open in the jar, so some got mixed in with the cocoa powder and put into the drink. The café said it would take responsibility if the customer had any adverse health effects. One doctor warned that if you accidently ingest desiccants, you should never try to vomit it up.

Kao Ta-cheng
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One type of desiccant generates heat. It harms the esophagus when swallowed, so should never be vomited back up.

Most silica gel is actually harmless. If ingested, it would not be digested and would simply pass through the body. But that doesn’t mean it’s okay find some in your coffee. The local health department sent personnel to inspect this café and said it would issue a fine if it found any serious offenses.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#coffee #cafe #coffeeshop #Kaohsiung #silicagel #desiccant #foodsafety #health

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Ju Ming’s wooden sculptures of ordinary people now on display

Today we take you to see an exhibit by the late renowned Taiwanese sculptor Ju Ming. His "Living World Series" showcases wooden sculptures of city dwellers from all walks of life. FTV reporter Stephany Yang takes us in for a look!

The series shows 89 wood sculpture pieces depicting 128 individuals. There are sculptures of women, families, lovers, and professionals of various occupations. They were created with chainsaws, using a “rapid cutting technique” on Chinese Fir.

Chen Chia-jen
Juming Museum exhibition department manager
He hopes to use the spirit of a sculpture installation to present the feeling of urban crowds. In this wood carving, Ju Ming uses Chinese Fir to carve his characters. The characteristics of Chinese fir are that on the one hand, its wood grain is straight. On the other hand, this wood is relatively soft. He used a chain saw to cut out the shape of the character. He also used his hands to pry open some places to present an organic texture. At the same time, you can also see the hair in this work. He made the lines of the hair to be more prominent.

Ju Ming’s work often reflects his observations of urban life and social civilization. The sculptures are grouped throughout the long exhibition hall, revealing the spirit and life of Taiwanese society and its people.

Chen Chia-jen
Juming Museum exhibition department manager
It presents all kinds of characters in the metropolis. In this exhibition, we can see people of different occupations and identities, such as families, couples, and even monks. There are also some fashionable women. The exhibition showcases Ju Ming’s portrayal of these characters. The main purpose is to present the scene of the metropolis through a huge number of sculptures. The exhibition is held in a space with a long corridor. There is also a hall at the back. The works are placed here. Visitors feel like they are one of the citizens.

“Living World Series—Citizen” has been exhibited in major cities around the world. Ju Ming’s exhibit will be held at the Juming Museum until Jan. 4 2026.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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Keelung temple honoring Monkey King reopens doors after four years

Taiwan has many temples and just as many deities. But did you know there’s even a temple dedicated to Sun Wu-kong, the Monkey King? More than 60 years ago, Chinese medicine practitioner Kuo Yu-shui funded construction of the temple, which later became an important religious center in Keelung. But due to the pandemic and a lack of funding, the temple closed for four years. Luckily, FTV got an exclusive look inside this once-great temple. Let’s sneak a peek.

Up on mountainous Zhongchuan Road in Keelung is a rare temple in Taiwan dedicated to Sun Wu-kong, the Monkey King from “Journey to the West”.

Shengji Temple closed for four years due to the pandemic, but now it’s finally reopening its doors.

The long-shuttered temple finally pulled back the veil on its classic roof sculptures and rare ceramic wall murals. Standing in the place of honor, donning a headband is the Monkey King. Back when the temple was at its height, many people came especially to honor him.

Lu Mei-ling
Keelung City Councilor (independent)
People who came here to pray found it incredibly effective, so it attracted more people to come. Everyone brought their hopes and dreams here, and after praying, they came true. So for a while it was incredibly—I should say unprecedentedly—crowded. And that’s how word spread.

Member of public
Back in 1978 it was so lively. Every day, tour buses of people would come. Of course, it will be very lively after reopening, too.

Shengji Temple was built by Chinese medicine practitioner Kuo Yu-shui in 1959 to house a golden effigy of the Monkey King that was passed down in his family through the generations. Due to frequent fires in Keelung at the time, the deity was said to have manifested his divine power to shield the residents. Deeply moved by his protection, they established the temple that become a focal point for the community.

As Sun Wu-kong has 72 transformations, he draws followers from all walks of life. But due to the pandemic and lack of funding, Shengji Temple closed down for four years. The paint and sculptures fell into disrepair, and worshipers could only burn incense at a makeshift altar outside the door.

Mr. Huang
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Before, it was miraculous. It’s a shame what happened to the local religion. I saw it was dirty and helped tidy it up.

Volunteer
I’ll come whenever I happen to be passing by. This place relies on all of us.

People who regularly hike up the mountain also often stop by to help maintain the temple. Local followers hope that someday they can restore the site to its former glory.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
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TAITRONICS and AIoT Taiwan 2025 at Nangang Exhibition Center

The TAITRONICS and AIoT Taiwan trade show kicked off on Wednesday, showcasing the latest in electronics and AIoT applications. Guests were welcomed by AI personal assistant robots to check out cutting edge solutions by startup teams across 16 countries. The exhibition demonstrates Taiwan’s leading role in the global tech industry.

The robot lifts an arm to welcome guests. It can also give directions.

Just insert your health insurance card to verify your identity in seconds. Then, your prescription is ready to be picked up. But the robot’s versatility extends beyond healthcare. It can also be deployed in stores to sell small items. This AI-powered service robot can handle all sorts of tasks by itself.

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Kunda from boy band Energy has admitted to dodging conscription. After being released on bail of NT$500,000, he had this to say.

Kunda
Member of Energy
I’m sorry for disappointing and worrying so many people. I will take full responsibility for what I must, and will cooperate fully with any investigations. Thank you all, I’m sorry.

Hands together, he bows in apology. Kunda is among several celebrities caught in a third wave of crackdowns on military service evaders. When police went to his residence on Tuesday, his wife informed them he had just left for a work trip in Canada. He found out right after landing, and immediately flew back to Taiwan, where he was detained at the airport.

- Kunda, any thoughts you’d like to share?
- Thank you. Thank you.

Fellow Energy member Toro put his projects on hold to return to Taiwan with Kunda. He dispelled rumors that all five Energy members had dodged military service.

Toro
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I went through a regular health screening at the hospital, enlisted in the military and completed the required alternative military service. Kunda has no option but to face up to his mistakes. He was very proactive about it and booked a flight back right away.

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Kunda could lose endorsement deals with six brands due to the scandal, which would force him to pay millions in compensatory damages.

So far, 15 celebrities have been detained in the draft evasion crackdown. They are facing up to 5 years in prison.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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