DA testing new anti-ASF vaccines

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) is testing new vaccines against African swine fever (ASF), which has been affecting the country’s hog industry.

“There is a second round of newly manufactured or developed vaccines against ASF that is undergoing testing,” Agriculture Secretary William Dar told journalists recently.

Dar described the initial results of the test as “very encouraging.”

“If there will be a second trial and it will be successful, maybe we can recommend a massive vaccination of pigs in the next administration,” Dar said.

Last year, the DA announced that the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) was collaborating with an unidentified vaccine company based in the United States as well as with the global animal healthcare firm Zoetis for the vaccine trial.

The BAI did not make public the results of the trial, citing a non-disclosure agreement it signed with the vaccine manufacturer.

In December, BAI director Reildrin Morales said the government discussed with Thailand and Vietnam potential trials for a vaccine against ASF.

Morales said the Philippines was eyeing to work with Chulalongkorn University in Thailand and was waiting for documents from the university before starting vaccine trials in the Philippines.

In the case of Vietnam, Morales said the Philippines was looking at a potential government-to-government partnership with the National Veterinary Joint Stock Company.

He said the country remains open to working with foreign governments on trying potential ASF vaccines, noting the Philippines has also discussed the matter with Canada.

Latest data from the BAI showed that as of March 31, active ASF cases were confined to four provinces: Camarines Norte, Leyte, Southern Leyte and Northern Samar.

A total of 20 barangays currently have active ASF cases, 17 of which are located in Southern Leyte.

These barangays are located in the municipalities of Sogod, Tomas Oppus and Macrohon as well as in the city of Maasin.

Avian influenza

As the country strives to address the virus affecting hogs, the avian influenza or bird flu continued to spread nationwide, with new cases reported in Luzon and Mindanao.

In two separate reports to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), the Philippines reported new outbreaks of the avian virus in the provinces of Bataan, Benguet, Nueva Ecija and Pampanga as well as in North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat.

Based on the report to the OIE, the avian influenza outbreaks in Luzon and Mindanao have been resolved.

The Philippines said a total of 72,713 birds died from the virus, while 74,024 others were killed or disposed of in Luzon.

In Mindanao, 675 birds died from the virus, while 8,843 others were killed or disposed of, according to the report to the OIE.