Ongoing African Swine Fever outbreak in Vietnam raises alarms of reassortant strain that can emerge and infect humans
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jul 15, 2024 3 months, 2 weeks, 21 hours, 33 minutes ago
Influenza News: The relentless spread of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Vietnam is causing grave concerns among scientists and policymakers. The fear is not just about the immediate impact on the pork industry and the economy but also the potential for a catastrophic reassortant strain that could jump to humans.
Ongoing African Swine Fever outbreak in Vietnam raises alarms of reassortant
strain that can emerge and infect humans
The Threat of Reassortant Strains
African Swine Fever is a highly lethal disease in pigs, and it only spreads between them. However, scientists are increasingly worried that the rampant infections in Vietnam, combined with the presence of other flu viruses like avian flu, could create a perfect storm. The possibility of a reassortant event, where genetic material from ASF and other viruses combines, could lead to a new, deadly strain capable of infecting humans.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC112910/
Such a development would have dire consequences, potentially sparking a new pandemic.
Government Response to the Outbreak
African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreaks are proliferating across Vietnam, threatening food supplies and exerting upward pressure on inflation according to various recent
Influenza News coverages. The Vietnamese government has highlighted the high risk of a wider spread, which could severely impact food supplies, consumer prices, and the environment.
So far this year, Vietnam has culled 42,400 infected pigs, nearly five times the number from the same period last year. The country has detected 660 ASF outbreaks nationwide, a sharp increase from the 208 outbreaks reported during the same period last year.
Economic and Food Supply Impacts
The ASF outbreaks are not only a threat to animal health but also to the economy and food security. Vietnam's consumer price index saw a significant rise in June, partly due to increased pork prices driven by ASF. According to the General Statistics Office, foodstuff prices rose by 3.23% in June compared to the same period in 2023.
The Vietnamese government has approved the use of two domestically produced ASF vaccines, the world's first commercial vaccines for the disease. However, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has urged further testing to ensure their efficacy and safety.
Government Measures and Directives
In response to the escalating crisis, Deputy Prime Minister Trần Lưu Quang has issued an official dispatch directing ministries, sectors, and localities to implement strict measures to prevent and control ASF. The government is prioritizing funds for vaccinating pigs and enhancing sanitation and disinfection practices in high-risk areas.
Local authorities have been instructed to promote biosafety practices in animal farming
and create disease-free zones. They are also required to maintain accurate records of pig populations and vaccination rates, and allocate budgetary resources for vaccination campaigns.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is leading efforts to coordinate with relevant ministries and localities to implement the national plan for ASF prevention and control for the 2020-25 period. This includes disease surveillance, timely warning issuance, and managing outbreaks to prevent further spread.
Inter-Agency Collaboration
Several ministries are involved in the fight against ASF. The Ministry of Industry and Trade is working with veterinary authorities and law enforcement to strengthen controls over the trade and transportation of diseased pigs and pork products. The Ministry of Information and Communications is intensifying public awareness efforts on disease prevention measures. The Ministry of Finance is allocating funds to support prevention activities, while the Ministry of Home Affairs is assisting in restructuring veterinary management agencies to bolster disease prevention capabilities.
The National Steering Committee for ASF prevention and control is also playing a crucial role in coordinating efforts among various agencies to ensure effective implementation of prevention measures.
The Global Context
ASF has been a persistent disruptor of the global pork market, which is valued at $250 billion. The worst outbreak occurred in China in 2018-2019, where about half of the domestic pig population died, causing losses estimated at over $100 billion. Vietnam is now facing a similar crisis, with the potential for even more severe consequences if a reassortant strain emerges.
Conclusion
The ASF outbreak in Vietnam is a multifaceted crisis, affecting animal health, the economy, and potentially public health. The government's proactive measures, including the deployment of vaccines and strict control measures, are critical in managing the current situation. However, the specter of a reassortant strain that could infect humans adds an urgent dimension to the crisis. The world must watch closely and support Vietnam's efforts to contain this outbreak and prevent a potential global health catastrophe.
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