What is Swine Fever?
Swine fever, also known as classical swine fever (CSF), is a highly contagious viral disease affecting domestic and wild pigs. The virus that causes swine fever is known as classical swine fever virus (CSFV). It can infect all pig populations and has a significant impact on the pig farming industry worldwide. Some key facts about Swine Fever Vaccine include:
– Caused by a pestivirus called CSFV which belongs to the Flaviviridae family of viruses
– Highly contagious disease that can spread rapidly in pig populations via direct or indirect contact
– Clinical signs range from asymptomatic to severe illness and even death of infected pigs
– Major concern from an economic perspective due to trade restrictions and production losses
Symptoms of Swine Fever
The symptoms of swine fever can vary greatly depending on the strain of virus and factors like the pig’s age and immune status. In acute cases, common clinical signs include:
– High fever over 40°C that lasts for several days
– Lack of appetite and depression
– Redness of skin with reddening of ears, joints, chest and abdominal areas
– Diarrhea that can contain blood
– Decreased birth weights and increased stillbirths in sows
– Sudden death in pigs during the acute phase of infection
Chronic or milder cases may present with less specific symptoms like poor growth, weight loss, reproductive problems and increased susceptibility to secondary infections. The disease can also occur without visible symptoms in some pigs.
Impact of Swine Fever Vaccine
Swine fever Vaccine poses a serious threat globally due to its tremendous transboundary spread and economic impact:
– Significant production losses due to morbidity, mortality and costly control/eradication programs
– Trade restrictions are imposed on countries or regions with confirmed outbreaks
– Allows secondary infections like pneumonia to thrive in infected pigs
– Zoonotic concern as close contact can allow transmission to humans on rare occasions
– Having swine fever virus circulating on farms increases risks to native pig genetics
Vaccination – Key to Swine Fever Control
Vaccination offers the most effective long-term strategy for protection against swine fever outbreaks. Several vaccine types are available globally:
– Live attenuated vaccines provide solid immunity but carry a low infection risk
– Killed/inactivated vaccines are also safe but require multiple doses to achieve protection
– Subunit/recombinant vaccines targeting the E2 glycoprotein show promise
– Vaccines must be appropriately matched to local viral strains for optimal performance
Most vaccination programs follow a two-dose primary schedule in breeders/gilts 4-8 weeks apart, along with a booster 2-4 weeks before farrowing. This allows passive immunity transfer to piglets. Revaccination of sows is also commonly performed. Viral circulation can be reduced through massive emergency vaccination during outbreaks too.
Swine Fever Vaccine – An Effective Way to Prevent the Spread of this Deadly Virus (cont.)
Ensuring High Vaccine Quality and Coverage
For vaccination strategies to succeed, high-quality vaccines, proper cold chain storage and optimal coverage are critical:
– Vaccines must maintain sufficient potency and purity as per regulatory standards
– Cold chain maintenance from producer to point-of-use is essential to conserve vaccine efficacy
– Coverage rates above 80-85% at herd-level are recommended to achieve population immunity
– Newborn piglets should receive adequate colostrum containing protective swine fever antibodies
Several countries have successfully controlled swine fever through well-orchestrated vaccination programs alongside improved biosecurity efforts on farms. Regular vaccination accompanied by stringent monitoring for breakthrough infection allows for early detection and response in the case of re-emerging outbreaks.
Classical swine fever vaccine is a severe viral disease of pigs that threatens pig health, welfare and global food security. Strong prevention via vaccination coupled with good production practices like all-in/all-out flow, effective quarantine of new stock and vermin control have proven fundamental in swine fever control. With committed application of vaccination as part of integrated swine fever control programs worldwide, we can curb the devastating impacts of this virus on pig populations and communities.