ASF vaccine trials intensify in Asia as outbreaks persist

ASIA – As African swine fever (ASF) continues to disrupt pork production in Asia, governments and vaccine manufacturers are stepping up efforts to curb its spread through innovative research and stricter biosecurity measures.

African swine fever is again in the spotlight in Vietnam and the Philippines, prompting a renewed push for vaccine development and deployment. 

The Philippines has recently reported fresh ASF outbreaks in the Eastern Visayas region, while Vietnam is advancing trials of a new vaccine for breeding pigs, seeking long-term solutions to stabilise its pork industry.

According to the Philippine News Agency, ASF resurfaced in the Philippines in late March, with the first confirmed cases detected at Eastern Samar State University. 

In response, authorities immediately suspended pig movement between villages and halted the sale of fresh and processed pork unless certified safe. 

The disease has since spread to neighbouring Northern Samar, with active cases reported in at least seven villages.

According to the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) latest update, despite containment efforts, ASF remains present in seven regions and 13 provinces. 

New vaccine research centre in the Philippines 

The DA recently launched a new ASF vaccine research centre at Central Luzon State University to strengthen the nation’s biosecurity infrastructure. 

The facility, the country’s first Biosafety Level 3 laboratory, will focus on diagnostics, surveillance, and vaccine development to produce an effective ASF vaccine before 2028.

A biosecure model piggery is also being developed in Laoag City, Ilocos Region. This facility will support the Swine Industry Recovery Plan by showcasing breeder development and disease control strategies while helping to stabilise the hog population.

Virus decimates pig population 

In Vietnam, ASF has contributed to volatile pork prices and a 200,000-head drop in the national pig population in the first quarter of 2025. 

Amid high demand and dwindling supply, vaccine manufacturer AVAC Vietnam has scaled up trials of its ASF vaccine on breeding sows. Previously limited to growing pigs, the vaccine is now being tested on 270 gilts. 

Early results have been promising, with all pigs producing antibodies and showing no signs of viral spread or adverse effects. A second dose was administered in early April, and AVAC recently inaugurated a new production facility to support expanded vaccine output.

Meanwhile, ASF continues to affect other parts of Asia. India’s Mizoram state has reported over 1,500 pig deaths, and South Korea is monitoring ASF among wild boars following recent wildfires. However, South Korea has seen a notable drop in wild ASF cases this year.

Elsewhere, Japan has recorded two new outbreaks of classical swine fever (CSF), a disease similar in impact to ASF but caused by a different virus. The outbreaks occurred in the Kanto region, affecting more than 12,000 pigs across several farms.

ASF remains a threat in Europe, with 175 outbreaks in domestic pigs reported so far this year in seven countries, including Romania, Moldova, Ukraine, and Serbia. Most recent cases have involved small backyard herds.

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