Pork used in producing sausages that was found by animal health authorities in Taiwan to contain African swine fever (ASF) might have been smuggled in as not a single case of the virus has been detected in Thailand so far, said the Department of Livestock Development (DLD).
Citing the results of a preliminary investigation, Sorawit Thanito, director-general of the DLD, said Thai livestock authorities are still probing the case.
Sausages that tested positive for the virus in Taiwan last week were produced by a factory in Nakhon Ratchasima, whose products are popular among Thais and foreign consumers.
"As the factory was found to have high hygienic standards, the authorities are tracing the origin of the pork used in producing those particular sausages," said Mr Sorawit.
Taiwan's Central Emergency Operation Centre (CEOC) confirmed last week the sausages in an intercepted package from Thailand were contaminated with ASF, according to the Taipei Times.
The CEOC said it was the first time the virus has been detected in products from Thailand.
Taiwan's Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine, which oversees the CEOC, said it was unclear if the food originated in Thailand as there was no labelling, and the traveller carrying the sausages had entered from China, the report said.
Mr Sorawit said the DLD has been keeping close surveillance on possible ASF infections in Thailand and none of the specimens taken from pigs considered to have died in an unusual manner have tested positive so far.