FMD vaccine suits local breeds

Bio-security is a standard procedure that local breeders follow to control and minimize the spread of foot and mouth disease. This includes the thorough cleaning and cleansing of the facilities and the tools and materials that may carry the virus. Unfortunately, foot and mouth disease can be spread airborne making it much more difficult to contain. Standard bio-security procedures can significantly reduce the risk of infection.

Vaccination is another effective defense against the disease, through immunization of susceptible animals, breeders are more confident of the products they market. Though various vaccines are introduced to them, they refuse to choose those that come from countries that are not FMD-free, they only stick to the one that best suits the local pigs.

Aftopor, a product of Merial Phils., is the most trusted and used by local breeders for it is the only vaccine in the market that contains the local FMD virus ‘Isolate 01 Philippines’ isolated from local cases in 1998. Aftopor then, is the only vaccine made especially for local pigs.

Most concerned with their consumers, first and foremost, local breeders conduct continuous vaccination program with livestock. The highly conservative farmers usually do mass vaccination to 100 percent of their pigs quarterly, a stricter routine than the twice a year prescription of the government.

With the country’s FMD status, Luzon is the only region that is still not yet declared FMD-free. With the joint efforts of the government and the local breeders, however, the Philippines is getting closer to be totally free from the disease.