In the wake of the discovery of red exotic fire ants in Taipei City on Monday, officials of the Council of Agriculture (COA) yesterday urgently reminded plant vendors of the necessity of checking for the pests in soil before transporting plants.
The council conducted an emergency meeting yesterday in Taipei to map out a coordinated strategy for the prevention and control of the ants.
PHOTO: CHANG CHIA-MING, TAIPEI TIMES
Taipei City Government officials also yesterday re-examined a traffic island on Chunghwa Road, where about 16 anthills built by the dangerous pest were found Monday. Although officials have since applied pesticide, 20 new anthills up to 3cm high were discovered yesterday. It is estimated that 0.8 hectares of lawn on the traffic island have been occupied by the ants.
Officials of the council's Animals and Plants Inspection and Quarantine Bureau said that the case -- the first discovery of the ant in an urban area in Taiwan -- deserves particular attention.
"Red fire ants found in Taipei City could be brought by soil still attached to plants," bureau Deputy Director-General Yeh Ying (
The red fire ant, a native of southern Brazil, is a serious new pest which was first detected in Taiwan last year. Agricultural officials said that the introduction could be attributed to imported goods.
The ants were first found in agricultural land. Nationwide, the pest has invaded about 6,000 hectares of land in four areas, including Taipei City, Taipei County, Taoyuan County and Chiayi County.
"The case in Taipei City suggests that transplantation might help the spread of the invasion," Yeh said.
According to experts, fire ants inflict a sting which causes a small blister or pustule to form after several hours. The blisters become itchy while healing and are prone to infection if broken.
Yeh said that Taiwan will follow prevention and control measures taken by other countries suffering from an invasion of the ants.
"However, measures might be revised soon after we take local factors, such as climate and the environment, into account," Yeh said.
Today, the council was due to hold the nation's first workshop on the issue in Taoyuan County, which has had the country's most serious fire ant invasion. At the workshop, prevention and control methods will be clearly demonstrated to participants, as well as possible dangers of being stung and recommended follow-up measures after a bite.
Agricultural officials yesterday urged farmers not to work in their fields barefoot. Officials also warned residents not to touch the ant's nest.
If stung by a fire ant, the first recommended step is to apply a cold compress to relieve the swelling and pain. After gently washing the affected area with soap and water, leave the blister intact, officials said.
On rare occasions, fire ant stings can cause severe acute allergic reaction.
Cases leading to death have been reported in many countries, officials said, though not yet in Taiwan.
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