Vietnamese agencies have joined hands with a French partner on the research and production of vaccines against the African swine fever (ASF) and foot and mouth disease (FMD).

A health worker sprays disinfectants in a pig farm (Photo: VNA) 

The Department of Animal Health under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), Dabaco Group and RTD Group which specialise in agricultural products, signed a cooperation agreement with France’s Ceva Group in Hanoi on January 14.

The deal aims to enhance prevention and combat of animal diseases, as well as create optimal conditions for the development of the animal husbandry sector.

The cooperation is deemed necessary for the strategy on disease prevention and combat and reduction of vaccine costs, among others.

According to the Animal Health Department, the ASF virus has so far spread to more than 7,700 communes of nearly 650 districts in all 63 provinces and cities of Vietnam. More than 5 million pigs have been culled.

Earlier, vaccine against AFS virus by the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences (VAAS) produced initial positive outcomes on experimental scale, unveiled MARD Minister Nguyen Xuan Cuong.

Meanwhile, the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus affected 3,479 heads last year, according to the ministry.

Vietnam has successfully produced the vaccine against FMD Type O, which was developed by AVAC, a member of the Rural Technology Development Group.