Vietnam to produce domestically African swine fever vaccine in 2021

Delegate Mai Sy Dien (Thanh Hoa) questioned Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development on the direction of research on African swine fever vaccine production as well as instruction on the development of disease - free areas.

Minister Nguyen Xuan Cuong shared: “In order to effectively prevent and control African swine fever, one of the strategic, long – term and sustainable solutions is to do research for vaccine production.

Right after the pandemic outbreak, MARD mobilized a large number of scientists from colleges, institutes and enterprises inside and outside the industry. At the same time, MARD along with the Ministry of Science and Technology, immediately carried out research activities at their departments and agencies.

The Ministry also actively mobilized assistance from international organizations such as OIE, FAO and cooperated with foreign agricultural cooperation agencies to carry out this task.

Minister Nguyen Xuan Cuong also shared: “Domestic research activities have achieved initial positive results.” First, we have selected and separated African swine fever virus bank in Vietnam to lay the foundation for next research and production activities.

Second, we have focused on genetic sequencing of virus strains for in-depth research for vaccine and probiotics production to serve testing activities.

Third, we have carried out epidemiology studies as a basis for building biosafety breeding processes and solutions to prevent and control diseases.

Fourth, we have produced a number of probiotics used in pig breeding to improve resistance, inhibit the development of diseases and ensure the biosafety of environmental treatment.

Fifth, we have produced a number of different vaccine batches, including inactivated and attenuated vaccines batches and initially tested at a narrow scale with positive results. Scientists are completing technological processes to produce testing vaccines at a larger scale in the coming time.

Especially, Minister Nguyen Xuan Cuong emphasized that, we have studied and created pig lines which are resistant to African swine fever. Particularly, we selected 85 sows surviving in large pandemic areas. All are now alive with good antibody and reproduction in the last generation. The offsprings also have antibody for African swine fever.

“This is the foundation for us to pursuit the selection and production of pig lines which are resistant to natural diseases.”, said Minister Nguyen Xuan Cuong.

In terms of international cooperation, right after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the result of the study on African swine fever vaccine in September 2019, MARD actively proposed cooperation with USDA and invited U.S scientists to come to Vietnam and instructed institutions and domestic enterprises for the cooperation and implementation of vaccine production.

Up to now, we have received the African swine fever strain transferred from the U.S. along with technical processes and have produced vaccine batches which were initially tested in pigs with very positive results. According to reports of experts and enterprises which received transferred technology, in case of favorable conditions, we will have vaccines to use in third quarter of 2021.

Regarding the second question from delegate Mai Sy Dien, Minister Nguyen Xuan Cuong replied that, by October 2020, the whole country has developed successfully 2,500 disease – free areas, closed product chain, disease - free zones with a total of about 400 million cattle and poultry at 22 district zones, 109 communal zones and more than 2,400 separate facilities. Thanh Hoa alone has 56 facilities.

Many large – scale husbandry enterprises have built closed and disease – free husbandry chain, meeting export requirements.

“For pig breeding, there are GreenFeed, CP, Masan, Mavin… Poultry breeding: Hung Nhon JSC. In Thanh Hoa, we have a production chain for chicken export of Phu Gia JSC.”, shared the Minister.

From now to 2025, we will strive for 50 disease – free zones at district level, inter-district level and more than 10,000 separated facilities to ensure epidemic safety and food safety with a view to serving domestic consumption and export.