African swine fever (ASF) continues to pose a critical threat to global pig populations, with recent outbreaks causing meaningful economic losses and prompting calls for more effective control measures [[1]]. while a fully effective vaccine remains elusive, researchers are exploring innovative delivery methods to combat the virus, with the ultimate goal of establishing a protective “firewall” against further spread. A new oral bait vaccine system, designed for both domestic swine and wild boar, offers a promising avenue for widespread inoculation and disease prevention, as detailed in the research below.
Researchers have developed a patented bait delivery system for a potential vaccine against African swine fever, a highly contagious and deadly viral disease affecting pigs. The system is designed to effectively vaccinate both domestic pigs and wild boar populations, offering a potential “firewall” against the spread of the disease, according to Dr. Yolanda Revilla, Head of ASFV Labs at the Severo Ochoa Molecular Biology Center (Cbmso), which is affiliated with the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC).
While domestic pigs would receive the vaccine via traditional intramuscular injection, wild boar would be inoculated through the specially formulated bait. The bait, which has been patented since 2014, is designed for oral vaccine delivery and is suitable for any orally administered vaccine.
“It contains pig feed, paraffin to maintain its integrity, and sugar and cinnamon,” explains Gabriela De La Fuente, CEO of Sabiotec, the company behind the bait’s development.
Extensive testing in wildlife has demonstrated the bait’s effectiveness. “We confirmed that both adult and juvenile wild boar consumed the bait readily, chewing it thoroughly,” De La Fuente stated.
Mastication is critical for the vaccine to work, as swallowing the bait whole renders it ineffective. “Deer, for example, tend to ingest the bait without chewing it,” explained Julio Isla, a veterinarian at Sabiotec.
The bait has also been tested under extreme temperature conditions and is estimated to remain viable for approximately one week, though wild boar typically consume it much faster. “We haven’t yet determined how the bait will perform in conditions of high humidity, and are currently assessing its stability and degradation rate,” De La Fuente added.
African swine fever poses a significant threat to the global pork industry and wildlife populations, and an effective vaccine is considered crucial for controlling outbreaks. The development of this oral bait delivery system represents a promising step toward widespread vaccination and disease prevention.
