Scientists are rushing to make vaccine for world’s biggest animal disease outbreak

Pressure is mounting on scientists to roll out an effective vaccine against a disease which has led to the death of hundreds of millions of animals.

With a quarter of the global pig population having died as a result of African Swine Flu (ASF) from 2018-2019, scientists are now racing against time to try and find a suitable and swift solution.

Several vaccinations are being developed across the globe.

*Warning: Contains images some may find upsetting.*

According to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), ASF - a 'highly contagious viral disease of domestic and wild pigs' - has 'become a major crisis for the pork industry in recent years'.

While it cannot be transmitted to humans, it is 'highly resistant in the environment, meaning that it can survive on clothes, boots, wheels, and other materials'.

It can also survive in 'various pork products, such as ham, sausages or bacon' and can even spread between frozen pork meats, resulting in it expanding across borders and now being present in multiple countries, despite having first originated in Africa.

An exact timeframe has still not been set for when one of the vaccines will be ready to be rolled out for commercial use or exported worldwide.

"Currently affecting several regions around the world, and with no effective vaccine, the disease is not only impeding animal health and welfare but has also detrimental impacts on biodiversity and the livelihoods of farmers," WOAH states.

African swine fever can reach a 'mortality rate of 100 percent', reports WOAH.

Ievgan Chabanov/ Alamy Stock Photo

City University of Hong Kong's veterinary epidemiologist, Dirk Pfeiffer, told The Guardian ASF is 'the biggest animal disease outbreak we've ever had on the planet'.

He continued: "[The only way to currently combat the virus] is to emphasise to farmers the importance of enhanced biosecurity."

Professor of animal health at Complutense University in Madrid, José Manuel Sánchez-Vizcaíno, echoed: "While it is possible to eradicate ASF without vaccination, it takes a long time to do it. You have to know the virus really well and understand where it hides and its tricks."

Deyana Robova/ Alamy Stock Photo

The vaccine is seen as the only sure way to effectively stem and eventually stop the disease from spreading.

Large-scale tests of three pilot vaccines by the EU-funded VACDIVA project - which Dr Sánchez-Vizcaíno is in charge of - are subsequently now being fast-tracked so scientists can analyse the effects it has on pregnant pigs and pigs with other illnesses.

A vaccination developed in Spain, a live attenuated vaccine in China, multiple potential vaccine candidates in Catalan and a vaccination developed in Vietnam are also undergoing further investigation.

It is hoped a successful vaccine will be ready to roll out by 2024.

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