The Global Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) emphasizes the importance of a well-tested and accurate vaccine against African swine fever. If this is not the case, vaccination will lead to the maintenance and even further spread of the problematic pig disease.
The WOAH realizes that years of lack of a vaccine or effective treatment have made the disease very challenging. Now that modified live vaccines appear to be coming onto the market, the organization emphasizes the importance of accuracy. Many countries have shown interest.
Additional measures
But to think that vaccination is sufficient and that other biosecurity measures, such as minimizing transport movements, are no longer necessary is dangerous. In combination with an insufficiently tested and proven effective vaccine, this can lead to further spread of the persistent disease. Inadequately tested vaccines can also be unsafe and lead to chronic diseases.
Local epidemiology
The WOAH emphasizes that vaccination, if used, should be carried out in the context of a well-designed vaccination program that takes into account, among other things, the local epidemiology of the disease, the expected objectives of vaccination and the adequacy and sustainability of the relevant technical, financial and human resources. . They should always include post-vaccination surveillance and monitoring, as well as an exit strategy for discontinuing vaccination, as stated in the WOAH International Standards on Vaccination (Chapter 4.18 of the Terrestrial Code).
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