Vaccination against African swine fever helps the pig herd reach the 80% protection rate

In order to develop sustainable livestock farming, vaccination is now considered the optimal solution to protect livestock proactively, in addition to biosecurity measures.

In May 2024, the first outbreak of African swine fever in Quang Ninh province began in Mong Cai city. According to statistics from Quang Ninh Sub-Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health, from the time the epidemic appeared to August 9, 2024, African swine fever occurred in 500 households in 87 villages, totaling 32 communes and wards in 9 localities (including Mong Cai, Hai Ha, Dam Ha, Tien Yen, Binh Lieu, Ba Che, Quang Yen, Uong Bi, Ha Long). There were 3,661 pigs recorded to be dead or destroyed, with over 160 tons of meat lost.

"Most African swine fever outbreaks occur in unvaccinated pig herds of small, fragmented farms that do not ensure biosecurity," said Chu Thi Thu Thuy, Head of Quang Ninh Sub-Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health.

According to the monitoring results of the Sub-Department, the rate of African swine fever virus circulation in the environment is estimated at 3%. When favorable weather conditions arise, the disease is very likely to break out in livestock herds.

"The mortality rate of pigs infected with African swine fever can be up to 100%, and the African swine fever virus can survive for a long time in the environment as well as pork products. On the other hand, production and livestock farming in Quang Ninh only meet 40% of domestic consumption, most of which is imported from neighboring localities, so the risk of disease spread is always high," said Chu Thi Thu Thuy.

Faced with the complicated developments of the epidemic, Quang Ninh Sub-Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health has coordinated with the vaccine manufacturer, AVAC Vietnam Joint Stock Company, to evaluate the vaccine trial in Mong Cai city. Accordingly, from July 29 to August 5, 2024, the city conducted vaccination to 2,393 pigs using the experimental African swine fever vaccine.

During the trial process in Hai Xuan and Hai Tien communes from July 29 to 31, 140 households with a total of 1,698 pigs were vaccinated. As for the vaccination session on August 5 in Hai Yen ward and Hai Dong commune, 695 pigs from 41 households were vaccinated.

Chu Thi Thu Thuy said that the Sub-Department closely coordinated with localities and livestock owners to implement monitoring and supervision measures for 21 days. Local veterinary forces implemented technical measures and managed risks after vaccination.

Having raised pigs for more than 10 years, Hoang Van Binh (Hai Xuan Commune, Mong Cai City) currently owns a farm with 140 pigs. Facing the constant danger of disease, Binh boldly tested the African swine fever vaccine on 110 of his family's pigs in the hope of providing the best protection for his livestock. Binh's pigs are still growing healthily.

On September 17, 2024 (42-45 days after vaccination), the Sub-Department coordinated with AVAC Vietnam Joint Stock Company to collect 30 serum samples to evaluate the protection of the vaccine post-injection.

The results showed that 24/30 samples were positive, with African swine fever antibodies in the test samples, reaching a rate of 80%, 6/30 samples were negative, and the rate of unqualified protection was 20%. According to regulations, this is a good protection rate, meeting high immunity requirements.

The pilot implementation of African swine fever vaccination on pigs in Mong Cai city with a protection rate of 80% has shown good disease prevention, protecting livestock from epidemics, contributing to promoting the development of the livestock industry in Mong Cai city in particular and Quang Ninh province in general in the near future.