Another potential African swine fever vaccine

Accordingly, clinical studies on a vaccine against African swine fever (ASF) in this country have yielded positive results, as experts are entering the next phase of the trial.

Speaking at the press conference, Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar, Bureau of Livestock and Animal Industry (BAI) Director Reildrin Morales, and Robina Farms CEO jointly announced the results of the vaccine trial. African swine fever. Accordingly, experts and officials both confirmed that the vaccine being tested created an immune response after vaccination in pigs.

“In the trial and through follow-up, no clinical signs associated with ASF and minimal non-ASF related mortality were confirmed. A total of 66% of the sampled animals had detectable antibodies to the ASF virus,” Dar said. In addition to the positive results, the scientists said that this vaccine can be stored in a variety of temperature conditions with a shelf life of 2 to 6 months.

With the encouraging results of Phase 1 of the African swine fever vaccine, Phase 2 of further testing is being planned, which is expected to last until June 2022. This will involve regarding the actual viral challenge of vaccinated animals.

Robina Farms CEO Dante Palabrica said the ASF vaccine is vital to the country's food security amid the food crisis. Mr. Palabrica is also confident that with this new ASF vaccine candidate, the Philippines' pig herd can be re-herd and revived within the next 5 years.

According to the Philippine Agriculture Secretary, if this African swine fever vaccine candidate is soon proven to be effective, he will propose to President Rodrigo Duterte about large-scale vaccination of pigs across the country by funding from the national budget.

However, Secretary William D. Dar also emphasized that the Philippine livestock industry still needs to strengthen biosecurity measures as another long-term solution. Mr. Dar also reaffirmed that the reintroduction program should be strengthened along with the pursuit of ensuring research and development of an effective vaccine against ASF.

Now, good news is returning to the Philippine pig industry when in the first quarter of 2022, growth has begun, showing that the reintroduction program is working.

According to the report of the livestock industry, only 12 barangays (administrative units equivalent to commune-ward level) still have cases of African cholera infection, a significantly lower number than 3,774 barangays in the past. ASF outbreak broke out and lasted a few years ago.

Source: Ha Duong - nongnghiep.vn