The government is monitoring the possible impact of the latest bird flu outbreaks on the stock market and consumer prices, officials have told Focus Taiwan.

According to Financial Supervisory Commission Chairman, Tseng Ming-chung, the outbreaks in several farms in southern Taiwan appear to be isolated incidents but further observation is needed to see if developments have any effect on the stock market.

Finance Minister, Chang Sheng-ford, indicated that the bird flu outbreaks could be a risk factor for the stock market on top of international market volatility.

As to whether the incident will affect consumer prices, Minister Chang said that will depend on whether the situation can be brought under control.

Agriculture authorities confirmed on 11 January that a new type of the H5N2 avian influenza virus was detected at four goose farms in Yunlin county and a duck farm in Pingtung county, while an outbreak of H5N8 avian flu was reported at a goose farm in Chiayi county.

To prevent the spread of the viruses, Focus Taiwan reports that the government has culled 8,500 geese and 7,000 ducks at the six affected farms and imposed a ban on killing geese and ducks in commercial slaughterhouses for two days.