DA-BAI Launches ASF Vaccination to Combat Swine Fever Outbreak

The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI) has initiated a controlled trial of a Vietnam-made African swine fever (ASF) vaccine in a significant step to curb the spread of the disease in the Philippines. The rollout began on Friday in Lobo, Batangas, a municipality with one of the highest cases of ASF.

The vaccination program involves inoculating healthy pigs with a live but weakened virus, aiming to prevent the spread of ASF, which has severely impacted the local hog sector since its detection in 2019. The DA-BAI clarified that only healthy pigs would be vaccinated as part of this effort.

The government has allocated PHP 350 million for the procurement of approximately 600,000 doses of the ASF vaccine for this trial. The vaccination will be carried out on a voluntary basis, focusing on small-scale hog raisers in areas with high ASF incidence.

DA Assistant Secretary for Swine and Poultry, Constante Palabrica, emphasized the importance of developing hog immunity to prevent the further spread of ASF, which has caused the deaths of millions of pigs across the country. “ASF has severely affected both large integrators and backyard farms. While larger farms can invest in biosecurity measures, 60% of our hog population in backyard farms struggle with insufficient funding for effective protection,” Palabrica noted.

The DA-BAI’s strategy includes using controlled vaccinations to help pigs reach 25 weeks of age and attain 100 kg, presenting a novel approach to fighting the disease. “We must embrace innovative solutions like this vaccine to improve outcomes for our hog industry,” added Palabrica.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. highlighted the critical need for an effective ASF vaccine to safeguard investments, revitalize backyard farms, and ensure national food security. “This effort highlights DA’s commitment to safeguard the swine industry and enhance national food security amid the ASF crisis. We’re dedicated to support hog farmers and ensure the sustainability of our agriculture sector,” Tiu Laurel stated.

In addition to the initial budget, the DA is prepared to allocate additional funds if the controlled trials prove effective in protecting the hog industry from ASF. The DA-BAI is also exploring additional vaccines for breeders and growers to further support the sector.

The ASF outbreak has caused widespread disruption in the swine industry, leading to the loss of millions of pigs and threatening farmers’ livelihoods. Currently, 32 provinces are still affected by the ASF virus.