ASF vaccination  inter-agency panel formed

MANILA, Philippines — An inter-agency technical working group has been created in preparation for the vaccination of hogs against African swine fever (ASF).

Department of Agriculture (DA) Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban issued Special Order No. 1027 designating Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) Director Paul Limson as panel chairperson.

BAI Assistant Director Arlene Asteria Vytiaco and BAI veterinary laboratory division chief Rainelda dela Peña were appointed as co-chairpersons.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reviewing the certificate of product registration of the ASF vaccine.

Panganiban stressed the need to review how vaccination can be integrated into the ASF control and prevention policy in the country.

“In the event of vaccine availability, there is a need for an inclusive multidisciplinary and multisectoral approach in determining how ASF vaccination should be implemented, with due consideration on the benefits provided by and risks associated with the ASF vaccines and vaccination,” he said.

Panganiban said the inter-agency technical working group would also study approaches to ASF vaccinology.

The panel will provide technical advice to the BAI regarding the results of ASF vaccine trials being conducted in the country, he added.

The BAI plans to import 600,000 doses of ASF vaccines this year once the FDA issues a certificate of product registration.

AGAP party-list Rep. Nicanor Briones had said losses incurred by the hog industry due to ASF have reached almost P200 billion.

Briones said the swine disease has affected 50 percent of the total hog population in Luzon.

The DA  said ASF remains a significant threat to the country’s swine production.

Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines Inc. president Rolando Tambago said the swine industry should grow by 30 percent to fill the supply gap due to losses caused by ASF.

While production increased in the second quarter, Tambago said it was a “slow growth” compared to the losses. – Danessa Rivera