ICIVASF (Comparative Immunity during ASF virus infection)

Project summary:

African Swine Fever (ASF) causes high mortality in domestic pigs and wild boar and results in substantial direct and indirect economic losses, particularly through the loss of ASF-free status in affected countries. In Western Europe, the disease primarily affects wild boar populations, where it is extremely difficult to control using currently available measures such as carcass removal and fencing.

At present, no ASF vaccine is authorized for use in Europe. The only vaccination strategies shown to provide effective protection rely on live attenuated virus strains generated through targeted deletion of virulence genes. ANSES Ploufragan has developed a gene-deleted attenuated ASFV strain (ASFV-989) that has demonstrated both safety and efficacy in domestic pigs.

In this project, ASFV-989 will be evaluated as a tool for controlling ASF in wild boar through oral bait vaccination. Oral vaccination is expected to become a key component of ASF control in wild boar populations, ultimately contributing to disease eradication and enabling affected countries to regain their ASF-free status.

Partners:

• ANSES VIRPIG
• CEVA
• INRAE-BIOEPAR
• INRAE-ISP
• INRAE-ANSES UMR-Viro

BIOEPAR researchers involved:

Nicolas Bertho : nicolas.bertho@inrae.fr

Coordinator:

Olivier Bourry (ANSES VIRPIG, Ploufragan)

Additional information:

Funding: PEPR Elevages Durables - PC4.