DEVELOPED ANTIBODIES. The Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Animal Industry rolls out the first historic government-controlled vaccination against African swine fever in Lobo, Batangas on Aug. 30, 2024. The DA reported the development of at least 40 percent antibodies in 18 hogs after 14 days since the vaccination. (Photo courtesy of PTV)
MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) reported a “positive” response on Tuesday in 18 out of the 41 hogs vaccinated against African swine fever (ASF) in two backyard farms in Lobo, Batangas.
In a phone interview, DA Assistant Secretary for Swine and Poultry Constante Palabrica said the latest blood sampling result showed the development of at least 40 percent antibodies among the 18 hogs since the first government-controlled vaccination using AVAC live vaccines from Vietnam.
“Para bang nakakita ako ng (It seems like I saw a) light at the end of the tunnel. Bata pa lang siya, 14 days pa lang siya. Pero the mere fact na nag-react siya at nag-produce siya ng antibody, imbes na zero antibody, ibig sabihin pinagana noong ibinakuna natin noong a-trenta after 14 days na halos kalahati ng baboy na binakunahan at nag-react at nag-produce ng (it’s still premature, just about 14 days. But the mere fact that it reacted, it produced an antibody instead of zero antibody, it means that the vaccines we used last August 30, after 14 days, almost half of the vaccinated produced an) antibody,” Palabrica said.
Palabrica said the progress is still preliminary and that vaccinated hogs are expected to develop 90 percent antibodies in the next 14 days.
“It makes me more positive na itong programang ito ng gobyerno ay makakatulong sa laban sa (that this government program will help us fight) ASF,” he said.
Seven fatalities in total, however, were reported in the two farms, while other remaining hogs remained healthy and under close observation.
DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. also expressed optimism about the long-term effects of the vaccination program in helping the hog industry recover.
“These initial results are part of a broader effort to protect our swine population. We remain hopeful, but cooperation from all stakeholders is vital. Strict adherence to vaccination protocols and biosecurity measures is crucial," he said.
Meanwhile, Palabrica said they are expediting procedures to roll out the remaining emergency-procured AVAC live vaccines.
“Pine-pressure na lahat ng aming sarili upang iyong 10,000 na bakuna ay ma-allocate na. Kasi nga may proseso na dapat sundin (We are pressuring ourselves to allocate the 10,000 doses. Because there’s a required process),” he said.
Palabrica said it is necessary to "respect" procedures under the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), including gene sequencing, to ensure the safe administration of ASF vaccines.
The DA aims to procure and roll out 150,000 doses of AVAC live vaccines in red zones in other parts of the country in October. (PNA)
