Epidemiology and Control of African Swine Fever in Vietnam: A Scoping Review

Abstract

African swine fever (ASF) has had a devastating impact on Vietnam’s swine industry since its introduction in Vietnam in 2019, leading to the culling of six million pigs. This paper aimed to review the epidemiological dynamics of ASF in Vietnam and measures applied to control the disease. ASF progressed through an initial epidemic phase (2019–2020) and has transitioned into a more endemic phase (2021–2024). The disease spread rapidly during the epidemic phase, driven by human-mediated transmission routes and inadequate biosecurity practices, particularly on smallholder farms. To control ASF, the Vietnamese government endorsed a national control plan that included biosecurity enhancements, disease surveillance, establishing ASF-free compartments, researching and evaluating ASF vaccines, and strengthening the capacity of veterinary services. While these measures have helped reduce the number of outbreaks, challenges persist, including the emergence of recombinant ASF strains, limited vaccine adoption, and gaps in the veterinary infrastructure. ASF has substantially changed Vietnam’s swine industry, shifting toward reducing small-scale household farming and increasing professional households and large-scale farms. As ASF has transitioned into an endemic phase, sustainable strategies focusing on continuous monitoring, improved vaccination coverage, and education programs are essential in order to mitigate its impacts and ensure the resilience of Vietnam’s swine industry.