Vijay Raika Monger
Posters-Accepted Abstracts: J Vaccines Vaccin
Control and eradication of Classical Swine Fever (CSF) in countries with a high proportion of backyard holdings is a challenge with scattered farms and remote areas which are difficult to reach. Vaccination is still the choice in CSF-endemic countries, where the usual control measures like stamping out and other measures are economically not viable. Attenuated Chinese-C strain vaccines though effective are difficult, where the pigs needs to be restrained for parental injection. Lack of adequate veterinary services and knowledge on CSF at the pig owner?s level seriously also affect the vaccination coverage in backyard holdings in general. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the CSF oral bait vaccine in village backyard pig farms and also to assess the farmers? knowledge and motivation about vaccination. A total of 224 pigs from 71 village backyard farms were fed 2 baits per pig. Serum samples were collected before and after vaccination and tested for antibodies by virus neutralisation test. The results indicated that 73% of vaccinated pigs had either a slight (two-threefold) or significant (at least fourfold) increase of the antibody titre against CSFV. The number of pigs with protective antibody titres (? 40) rose from (24% to 60% following vaccination. The oral vaccine is effective in domestic backyard pigs could be useful for a substitute for attenuated parental vaccine especially in developing countries. It could be a useful tool to combat CSF which has a serious impact on the backyard farmers affecting their sustenance and livelihoods.