The absence of an effective treatment or vaccine makes biosecurity measures key to curbing the spread of the virus. According to Vitalii Bashynskyi, Veterinary Doctor, FAO International Advisor on Veterinary Medicine and Food Safety, ‘African swine fever has not “taken over” the planet because of biosecurity measures. Not because of the vaccine, not because of any additional medicines, because there is no treatment for it.’
Biosecurity is a set of mandatory actions that help a farmer protect his farm from infection, in particular by limiting contacts, disinfection and strict control of processes on the farm.
The expert emphasises that no full-fledged vaccine against ASF has been created yet.
‘Unfortunately, there is currently no recognised effective vaccine against ASF. There is, in fact, a product with a live attenuated virus that allows you to develop a kind of immunity so that the animal does not get sick and die quickly,’ the expert comments.
At the same time, the use of such vaccines has its risks. As the expert explains:
‘If the field virus is in constant contact with the vaccine virus, we are likely to get the opposite effect, but this can only be said after the relevant studies are conducted and completed.’
As a result, one of the most effective methods of combating ASF remains ‘stamping out’ - a set of anti-epizootic measures carried out under the guidance of the relevant chief state veterinary inspector, including the slaughter of sick and infected animals of the herd, and, if necessary, animals of another herd that may have had direct or indirect contact with animals of the infected herd, which could have led to the transmission of the virus. All animals suspected of having the disease are slaughtered and their carcasses are destroyed by burning, burying or in another way that ensures that the infection is not spread through the carcasses or other products of slaughtered animals. It is also mandatory to carry out the necessary cleaning and disinfection measures.
For more details, see Module 5 ‘ASF Prevention and the Importance of the Disease for the Enterprise/Country/World’ of the course ‘African Swine Fever - Everything Business Needs to Know’. Terms and conditions and registration are available here: https://courses.agriacademy.org/courses/course-v1:FAO+ASF+2024Q4/about.
We would like to remind you that all course materials are available at any time, which allows you to study at your own pace. The course not only provides access to up-to-date knowledge, but also includes assignments after each module, which will help to consolidate the information received. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a certificate confirming their readiness to work to high biosafety standards.