Source: Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE, 10/16/18


USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) on Monday published in the Federal Register a notice of intent to grant animal health company Zoetis LLC an exclusive license to two patents related to the company’s development of a vaccine to combat African Swine Fever (ASF). 

The move comes as ASF riddles China’s massive hog population and continues to move in Europe, threatening to hamper large pork exporting nations there, and as U.S. government, industry and health officials work to prevent its introduction in the United States. Currently there is no certified vaccine to treat for the viral disease.

The most severe type of ASF infection, according to USDA, can kill 100 percent of cases within seven to 10 days — without any clinical signs. Not a threat to human health, ASF spreads from pig to pig via direct contact with each other and any sort of their secretions.

Infected meat, be that of a deceased carcass or even scraps that humans feed their animals, is a primary means of transmission, experts say. Animal health officials also have evidence, if not yet actual proof, that the disease is able to survive in multiple feed ingredients during transoceanic shipping to ports and then to inland points of feed manufacture. 

ARS is seeking public comments on its notice, due Nov. 14.

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