China is conducting clinical trials of potential African swine fever vaccines. Harbin Veterinary Research Institute has found 2 substances that provide immunity against the disease in laboratory tests. However, it could take years before the vaccines are ready for use, scientists warn.
The scientists working on the vaccine report that developing and launching an effective vaccine is difficult. That writes Reuters news agency, which is based on a report from China National Radio. "If it works well in a laboratory, that does not necessarily mean that the pigs are also preventively protected against the infectious disease in practice," they report.
Multiple tribes
A complicating factor is that there are at least 2 strains of the virus circulating in China, and it is likely that the vaccine will not be effective against both strains. China has only recently started research into a vaccine, because researchers were previously not allowed to work with a live virus.
Many experts do expect China to get a vaccine license sooner than elsewhere, given the massive impact of the disease on one of the country's most important sectors.
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