In an interview with Reuters this week, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said that local trials for an ASF vaccine had shown ‘promising results’.
Following worldwide testing of a number of possible vaccines for the highly contagious disease, a candidate in Vietnam is now close to approval.
President Marcos, who also chairs the agriculture ministry said initial trials showed that sufficient antibodies were produced by the vaccine and it was safe to use, although further testing is required.
Millions of pigs have been destroyed since the first outbreak of the disease in the Philippines in 2019 and active cases remain in 13 of the country’s 81 provinces, according to the Department of Agriculture. This has led to reduced domestic pork supply, resulting in an increase in imports. The added pressure on inflation is now outside of the central bank’s target range.
President Marcos spoke at a livestock trade event and said a second phase of the vaccine trial was underway, but gave a stark warning: “It is not a reason for complacency, as we are being continuously warned by those who have studied the vaccine.”