African swine fever—or ASF—has a new mutation from China.
Taiwan’s agriculture department said on Dec. 18 that they discovered the new variant in a carry-on bag belonging a Chinese visitor.
The traveler had packed a small bag of Chinese sausage in their luggage and two strains of the ASF virus were found inside it.
ASF is a deadly infectious disease native to pigs.
Taiwan says the new variant is leading an ASF surge in China. On top of that, it’s tested immune to the current vaccine.
So far, only Japan and Taiwan have successfully stopped the virus from entering their borders.
NTD found that the World Organization for Animal Health has not covered the new variant.
Taiwan is warning that if the new virus spreads, it could cause a new round of the ASF pandemic in Asia.