An international team of scientists has found that a promising African swine fever (ASF) vaccine can protect pigs against some strains of the virus but offers little or no protection against others. The findings point to the need for region-specific vaccines to tackle one of the world’s most devastating animal diseases.
The research, led by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Plum Island Animal Disease Center and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), tested a commercial live-attenuated vaccine candidate, ASFV-G-ΔI177L, against several African swine fever virus (ASFV) strains collected from across Africa. Results showed that while the vaccine was highly effective against certain strains, its performance varied widely depending on the virus type.
ASF is a highly contagious and often fatal disease affecting domestic and wild boars, with no global commercially licensed vaccine available. The disease is endemic in many parts of Africa and, over recent years, outbreaks have devastated pig populations in Africa, Asia and Europe, causing severe economic losses, threatening food security, and undermining the livelihoods of communities reliant on pig farming as pork is widely consumed animal protein. Smallholder farmers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), who primarily raise pigs in backyard systems, are heavily affected by ASF with women and young people particularly vulnerable.
Beyond LMICs, the spread of ASF poses a major threat to North America. In the United States, the swine industry is a cornerstone of the economy, generating more than USD 27 billion in gross cash receipts in 2023. Similarly, Canada’s pig industry contributed CAD 6.3 billion in 2024, highlighting the region's significant economic exposure
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