By Brian Campued
The Department of Agriculture (DA) expressed confidence in the efficacy of the vaccine against African swine fever (ASF) after five fatalities were recorded among vaccinated hogs in Lobo, Batangas last month.
In an interview, DA Assistant Secretary Dante Palabrica clarified that only one of the two initial farms in Barangay Malapad na Parang in Lobo town showed adverse effects.
The deaths were registered out of the 12 vaccinated pigs in the farm last August 30.
“Iyong baboy, although negative sa ASF blood test dahil ’yon ang polisiya natin, ay nagpakita ng respiratory problem. At ibig sabihin, ang body niya ay compromised na—para bang tinatawag na may premorbidity,” Palabrica said.
“Hindi pa naka-build up ng antibody iyong mga baboy. Limang araw, anim na araw, pitong araw ay bumagsak iyong baboy… at napakataas ng infection pressure (sa area),” he added.
Meanwhile, the other farm where 29 heads were vaccinated reported no fatalities.
“Lahat ay apparently healthy, walang patay, walang comorbidity… ibig sabihin walang nanghina. Huwag tayong mag-knee jerk reaction sa lilimang baboy,” Palabrica stressed.
According to Palabrica, it would take seven to 14 days for vaccinated hogs to develop at least 40% immune system response against ASF, while 28 days for them to develop 90% immune response.
“I will reiterate, I’m still confident that the vaccine will work,” he said.
The DA said that it will continue to observe all the pigs they will vaccinate as the government-controlled trial is set to be expanded to other “red zone” areas in Luzon as well as in Visayas and Mindanao.
In a statement Tuesday, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. instructed the Bureau of Animal Industry to allot an initial 150,000 doses of AVAC live vaccines to La Union, Quezon, Mindoro, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Cebu. (with report from Cleizl Pardilla/PTV News)
