Challenges in the Application of African Swine Fever Vaccines in Asia.

Simple Summary: African swine fever (ASF) presents a significant challenge in Asia, where outbreaks have devastated the pork industry and threatened food security due to high mortality rates in pigs. The disease, caused by the ASF virus genotype II, has spread rapidly across the region since its emergence in China in 2018. This paper discusses the introduction and implications of vaccines such as NAVET-ASFVAC and AVAC ASF Live in Vietnam, emphasizing the necessity for rigorous testing and regulatory oversight. Despite the potential use of vaccines to control the disease, concerns about the safety of live attenuated vaccines (LAVs), including their ability to revert to virulence or create new recombinant strains, highlight the complexity of ASF management. Effective vaccine strategies, alongside strict biosecurity measures, and rapid diagnostics are essential to mitigate the economic and social impacts of ASF and ensure the stability of pig populations in Asia. This paper explores the significance of quality vaccines in managing ASF in Asia, where it poses a substantial threat to the pork industry. It emphasizes the risks associated with substandard vaccines, including the emergence of new virus strains that complicate disease control. Highlighting recent advancements in vaccine deployment in Vietnam, the paper calls for rigorous testing and regulations to guarantee vaccine effectiveness and safety. The authors advocate for the implementation of vaccines with the inclusion of differentiating infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA), which enhances disease management strategies in both endemic and non-endemic regions. The conclusion underscores the necessity of stringent standards in vaccine development and strict adherence to regulatory guidelines to ensure successful ASF management and maintain public trust in the vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]