In Response to the Spread of African Swine Fever in Southeastern Asia, Taiwan Now Checks Carry-On Luggage Entering Taiwan from the Philippines
- 地點:臺灣
- 發布日期:
- 單位:Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine
- 更新日期:2020/07/28
- 點閱次數:269
The Central Government African Swine Fever Disaster Response Center stated that according to a reliable source, the Philippines is suspected to be experiencing an African Swine Fever outbreak. However, the Philippines has yet to report the outbreak to the World Organisation for Animal Health. In order to prevent the spread of the disease, Taiwan has taken a preventative measure and made the decision to X-ray all carry-on luggage carried by travelers who land in Taoyuan International Airport from the Philippines, starting on Aug. 19.
Because many travelers enter Taiwan via Taoyuan International Airport, all check-in luggage is X-rayed by the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine, while only carry-on luggage arriving from high-risk areas are fully X-rayed. Such areas include China, Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, North Korea, South Korea, and Russia. The Response Center stated that Bulacan Province and Rizal Province of the Philippines are suspected to have an African Swine Fever outbreak; therefore, the BAPHIQ made the decision to list the Philippines as a high-risk area starting on August 19. All carry-on luggage carried by travelers from the Philippines is required to be checked. Other airports in Taiwan check all travelers’ check-in and carry-on luggage. All checks are carried out by the Customs Administration’s X-ray machines and BAPHIQ’s canines.
African Swine Fever is widespread in Asia, and the Response Center urges Taiwan’s domestic pig farmers to promptly improve biosecurity measures to strictly prevent the invasion of the epidemic and support disease prevention efforts. The Response Center would also like to remind all travelers entering Taiwan not to violate regulations by carrying pork products into the country. Violators will face serious penalties, so do not break the law.
Source: The Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine