Although the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin has not yet been proven effective against COVID-19 in animals, the Department of Agriculture (DA) will also evaluate whether it is effective in pigs against African swine fever (ASF).
Special Order No. 310 released by Agriculture Secretary William Dar on April 30 formed the inter-agency research team for the preliminary trial.
According to Agriculture Undersecretary William Medrano, ivermectin has been found in other countries to be effective as a drug against other viral animal diseases.
“There are scientific literatures already na ivermectin, aside from being an effective anti-parasitic, meron din siyang antiviral effects and anti-inflammatory… Ginamit na sa other countries ‘yung ivermectin sa other viral diseases ng livestock,” said Medrano.
The trial will begin as soon as there is another outbreak in ASF.
According to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Director-General Eric Domingo, they no longer need approval if animals are to be used.
The hog raisers, on the other hand, criticized Dar’s ploy and said that the trial on the vaccine against ASF should be given more focus.
“Paanong mangyayaring ang gamot sa galis at bulate ay puwede mong gamitin diyan sa African swine fever?” said Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines vice president Nicanor Briones.
DA studies using ivermectin as pigs’ protection vs ASF
Apart from ivermectin, there are other antiviral substances to be subjected to trial such as “ASF buster” and “cloud feed.”
Last week, the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI) started its African Swine Fever vaccine trials in provinces previously affected by the disease.
The vaccine trials were conducted in cooperation with the US vaccine company Zoetis.
Dar said the African Swine Fever vaccine trials started on April 23, 2021, with 10 commercial swine farms joining.
The DA-BAI personnel and veterinarians would monitor the African Swine Fever vaccine trials for 84 days, in accordance with the current protocols set by the government technical working group, Zoetis Philippines Inc, and the vaccine manufacturer.
DA-BAI said Zoetis is the major collaborator of the experimental new vaccine for ASF, which has prevented the virus from killing pigs in early trials in other countries.
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