Facing the challenges of endemic African Swine Fever in Vietnam

Abstract

The objective of this article is to review and evaluate the epidemiological transition of African swine fever (ASF) from a typical epidemic to an endemic situation in Vietnam, and thereby propose appropriate solutions for disease prevention and re-herding for countries with similar situations. In the first year of its introduction, ASF has had a great impact on Vietnam’s pig industry, with the total number of households, the number of pig heads, and pork production decreasing sharply along with a marked change in structure and model. However, the Vietnamese pig herd has experienced rapid recovery and growth in the following two years, and ASF outbreaks have occurred much less frequently. The spread of ASFV in infected farms in Vietnam is reported to be very rapid, which is due to the very special epidemiological characteristics of ASF in pigs raised in Vietnam. Although vaccine ASF-G-Δl177L was commercialized in the endemic ASF context of Vietnam, changing the mindset of livestock production towards safer and more sustainable with strict implementation of biosecurity measures with a new approach is an effective key to disease control and prevention.