Vietnam develops world's first effective vaccine for ASF: German newspaper
VOV.VN - German newspaper Agrarheute (Agriculture Today) published an article on July 1 highlighting Vietnamese efforts to develop the world's first safe and effective commercial vaccine against African swine fever (ASF).
The piece outlines how the ASF epidemic is causing great concern to pig farmers globally. However, the country has recently announced that it has achieved a breakthrough as it had successfully produced an effective vaccine which is notable for being the first commercial one globally to prevent ASF epidemic.
The article cites the confirmation given by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) of the US Department of Agriculture in an official letter sent to the Department of Animal Health of Vietnam that emphasised the safety and effectiveness of the NAVET-ASFVAC vaccine against ASF developed by Vietnam.
This comes after late June when the Vietnam Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) held a press conference to announce the successful production of a vaccine against ASF.
The NAVET-ASFVAC vaccine produced by the National Veterinary Joint Stock Company (NAVETCO) is therefore the world's first commercial vaccine against this disease.
The newspaper quotes Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien as saying that from February, 2020, the research and production of official vaccines has been carried out with the co-operation of US experts. From July, 2020, the Ministry permitted the import of attenuated ASF virus strains for research and production of ASF vaccines in the country.
According to Deputy Minister Tien, upon receiving the virus strain from the US Department of Agriculture in September, 2020, NAVETCO quickly carried out research and conducted five laboratory tests.
The test results showed that 100% of vaccinated pigs used in the tests were protected from exposure to toxic substances in the laboratory.
In terms of production conditions, over 80% of vaccinated pigs were protected, with immunity lasting for up to six months after being vaccinated.
Moving forward, it is expected that in early July, the MARD will officially announce and license the distribution of ASF vaccines.
ASF is a dangerous infectious disease caused by a virus in pigs, first appearing in Africa back in 1921.
The disease is characterised by its rapid spread, causing disease to occur in all ages and all types of pigs, including domestic pigs of all kinds and wild boar. Most notably, the disease has a mortality rate of up to 100%.