Vietnam Faces Surge in African Swine Fever Outbreaks, Over 100,000 Pigs Infected

Vietnam is experiencing a sharp surge in African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks, with the number of infected pigs increasing from 30,000 to over 100,000 in just two weeks and a total of 972 outbreaks reported this year. The disease is spreading nationwide, severely impacting the livestock industry and pork supply. Despite Vietnam being the first country to develop an ASF vaccine, vaccination rates remain low due to high costs, doubts about vaccine quality, and the lack of mandatory vaccination policies at the national level. Most farmers rely on strict biosecurity and closed-loop farming systems as the main defense against ASF. The government, including Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, has issued urgent directives to curb the disease, which threatens food security. AVAC Vietnam JSC, the leading vaccine producer, sold 3 million doses domestically and exported 600,000 doses abroad, but vaccination is seen only as a supplementary measure to basic prevention practices.