Page 39 - 2019 Annual Report Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan

Annual Report 2019 Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan
Classical swine fever (hog cholera) is classified as a "Type A" infectious disease under Taiwan’s "Statute for Prevention and Control of Infectious Animal Diseases."
to provide dossiers so that Taiwan could fill out OIE disease prevention and inspection questionnaires. Taiwan submitted its application to the OIE to be recognized as a zone that is "FMD-free where vaccination is not practiced" on September 5 of 2019 and recognition was received in May of 2020.
(3) Strengthening prevention of avian influenza
Based on the principles of epidemiology, the COA continued active surveillance for avian influenza (AI) viruses in samples collected from poultry farms, handling centers for native chickens, pet birds, and migratory (or wild) birds. A total of 50,914 samples were examined in 2019. For highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) prevention and control, two stages of reinforced surveillance were initiated targeting waterfowl farms for silent infection screening, along with the pre-existing active surveillance. A total of 84 farms were confirmed as having HPAI outbreaks in 2019, a reduction of 14% compared to 2018, and 986,658 birds were culled. To prevent H5N2 and/or H5N5 AI outbreaks in Taiwan, the COA has (i) strengthened the early warning function of the Research Center for Avian Influenza Control and Prevention; (ii) strengthened interdiction
of illegal veterinary drugs (including vaccines); and (iii) implemented installation of vehicle GPS devices to strengthen the effectiveness of disinfection and disease prevention in AI outbreak hotspots. Simultaneously, poultry industry associations were asked to contribute to poultry disease prevention and control. Through cooperation with animal disease inspection authorities in Taiwan, AI outbreaks were significantly declining. We will continuously refine preventive measures against AI to achieve the goal of eradicating the disease in Taiwan.
(4) Strengthening prevention of rabies
In 2019 the COA conducted 1,159 tests on dogs, cats, and wild animals, with 72 ferret- badgers and one masked palm civet confirmed as being infected with rabies. These confirmed cases were found in 84 townships in nine cities or counties. We continued to promote rabies vaccination for dogs and cats to establish an immune barrier. To reach our goal of 70% vaccination coverage, the overall booster amount reached 749,032 doses in 2019. People who failed to get their pets vaccinated as required by law were fined in 36 cases. In order to reduce the risk that rabies could spread to dogs and cats, the COA evaluated
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