Dar: 2 vax against ASF under development in US

AGRICULTURE Secretary William Dar hopes that the spread of African swine fever (ASF) in the country would be halted soon now that vaccines have been put on clinical trials against the fatal disease that affects hogs.

Dar said on June 3, 2021, that two ASF vaccines are being developed in the United States.

“This is what I see as the light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully, with the vaccine properly tested, and if proven effective, we will have a nationwide vaccination program for the hogs,” he said.

Dar further said there are two anti-viral products developed by Filipinos that are on testing trials.

According to the Department of Agriculture, 10 commercial swine farms are participating in the ASF vaccine trials that began last April 23 in areas previously hit by the disease.

The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) will help in monitoring the testing trials for 84 days. The government technical working group, vaccine manufacturer and Zoetis Philippines Inc. (a global animal health company) will also take part in the monitoring.

Dar wants to end ASF outbreaks in the country as it has robbed the hog industry of billions of pesos in revenue.

To recall, the entire country was placed under a “state of calamity” last May 11 to halt the rapid spread of ASF.

According to the latest government monitoring, Central Visayas, including Cebu Province, remains unaffected by the ASF. (ANV)

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