The project consortium, coordinated by the Complutense University of Madrid (Universidad Complutense de Madrid, UCM), comprised 20 partners from Spain, the Netherlands, Italy, Hungary, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Lithuania, Portugal, Germany, Belgium, and Kenya.
The primary objective of the project was to develop a safe and effective vaccine against African Swine Fever (ASF) for use in both wild boars and domestic pigs, to limit the spread of the disease.
Although the vaccine development was not fully completed during the project timeframe, the research team succeeded in creating several vaccine prototypes that, after a single vaccination, provided over 80% protection to both wild boars and domestic pigs. These prototypes demonstrated minimal side effects and a negligible level of virus shedding. These promising prototypes now require field trials to further evaluate their efficacy and safety under field conditions. This additional data is essential to initiate the full vaccine registration process. Notably, the vaccine development was based on a virus isolate obtained from a wild boar hunted in Latvia in 2017.
The project also led to the development of DIVA (Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals) tests – both molecular (PCR) and serological (ELISA) – which are essential for comprehensive ASF surveillance in vaccinated animal populations. These tests were validated under real infection scenarios using field-collected samples from infected and non-infected animals. The Institute BIOR participated in this validation by testing 935 samples and conducting over 2,500 diagnostic tests. Additionally, a new immunochromatographic (lateral flow) test format was developed to simultaneously detect ASF antigens and antibodies within a single test cassette. Institute BIOR also contributed to the validation of this test.
To support oral vaccination strategies in wild boars, several bait prototypes were developed and successfully tested in field trials in Spain, Germany, and Latvia. It is important to note that these field trials utilized empty baits (without vaccine), focusing instead on identifying the bait most attractive to wild boars.
One of the project’s key tasks was to develop vaccination strategies tailored to various scenarios. As a result, several models were developed, including an ASF risk and vaccination assessment platform and an innovative online tool aimed at optimizing ASF surveillance and vaccination strategies. Data gathered from ASF surveillance in Latvia was of high value and contributed significantly to the development of these epidemiological models.
Final project reports and required documentation are currently being prepared.
Important questions remain regarding the practical implementation of vaccination, trade restrictions, regulatory challenges, and the urgent need for additional funding to further investigate the promising results achieved so far.
The VACDIVA final seminar took place in December 2024 in Brussels, emphasizing the importance of cooperation between scientists, policymakers, and the livestock sector to ensure the effective implementation of ASF control measures.
This seminar marked the end of the Horizon 2020 VACDIVA (No. 862874) project (01/10/2019 – 31/12/2024) and simultaneously set the stage for the continued fight against ASF – a global problem that demands a unified approach and international support.
Despite the project’s conclusion, the Institute BIOR continues its research on ASF and has started joining a new initiative under the Horizon Europe WIDERA (Widening Participation and Strengthening the European Research Area) programme. The new project, “Understanding the Performance Features of Live Attenuated Vaccines for African Swine Fever Prevention and Control in Wild Boar and Domestic Pigs – ASFaVIP,” aims to advance vaccine development efforts.
More information about VACDIVA project and its final activities is available here:
https://vacdiva.eu/activities/vacdiva-final-world-technology-transfer-workshop-key-advancements-in-asf-control/
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