In recent months, new outbreaks of African Swine Fever (ASF) have been reported in Asia. This viral disease presents high mortality among infected pigs and an enormous economic impact when outbreaks occur. Fortunately, it does not affect humans. However, new outbreaks of African Swine Fever wreak havoc on the international market and economy.

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In the Philippines, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte recently declared a state of calamity in the Asian country due to new outbreaks of African Swine Fever. The pig-producing regions in the Philippines most affected by these new outbreaks of African Swine Fever have been Luzon and Mindanao. The Philippines government has implemented control measures on the transport of pigs through its cities. Also, the Philippines has increased controls on the import and export of pork products.

China faces new ASF outbreaks

China is the largest producer and consumer of pork in the world. In October 2020, outbreaks of African Swine Fever were reported in China, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. One of the most acute new outbreaks of African Swine Fever occurred in Chongqing, which affected a group of 70 piglets, of which 14 already showed symptoms and two had died.

For this reason, taking into account China’s role in world pork production, there was a drop in prices in the producing regions due to the massive slaughter of pigs. On the other hand, independent areas that do not produce pork, there were price increases. This event is worrying evidence of the impacts of the new outbreaks of African Swine Fever in Asia.

To deal with these new outbreaks of ASF, China has decided to divide its pork production into five geographical regions. With this, the Asian giant intends to limit the movement of pork products and by-products across borders. These restrictions may prevent the virus from spreading further through China’s pig farms. This control system has also been tested in Brazil and Spain.

Vietnam reports no new outbreaks African Swine Fever

In 2020 another of the countries heavily impacted was Vietnam. The Asian country had to slaughter about 6 million pigs, generating a shortage of approximately 100,000 tons of pork. In other words, there was a 10% loss in Vietnam’s pork production. In 2021, surveillance implemented in Vietnam reports that no new outbreaks of African Swine Fever have been reported in 70% of the regions previously affected in 2020.

To address these new outbreaks of ASF in Vietnam, the Ministry of Agriculture reported that they were rapidly working on vaccines from virus isolates from the hit regions. Tests on 3,000 animals indicated an 80% immunization rate against African Swine Fever.

Finally, Asian countries with high swine production have implemented sanitary strategies to control and prevent new outbreaks of African Swine Fever. This disease is almost eradicated in the world, so new outbreaks warn of the presence of the virus still circulating.