Pork industry waits for JEV vaccine three years after viral outbreak
Australia's $6 billion pork industry has been waiting for a vaccine against the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) for three years since its outbreak.
Nine people have died from the virus since 2021, including two in Queensland this year.
A vaccine exists for humans, but two separate pig vaccines are yet to clear federal approval processes.
It comes as primary producers do everything they can to combat the mosquito-borne virus that causes significant reproductive issues in sows and has cost the pork industry millions of dollars.
Emergency permits
The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) said it was assessing two emergency use permit applications, which would allow scientists to trial their vaccines in piggeries.
The competing vaccines have been developed primarily by the University of Queensland and veterinary company Apiam Animal Health.
Chris Richards says he has 100,000 doses of a safe and effective vaccine.
(
Supplied: Chris Richards
)
Apiam Animal Health chief executive Chris Richards said he lodged his application on March 14, it passed the preliminary assessment two days later, and was told by the APVMA he would hear back within two weeks.
He said he had been waiting for six weeks.
He said the company had the capacity to vaccinate 50,000 sows within two weeks of emergency approval.
"We haven't … really been notified that there are any deficiencies in the application," he said.
"But also haven't been updated as to when that might be processed.
"If we got an emergency use permit today, we'd be able to vaccinate most of those sows that are in the affected areas in the next two weeks."
Feeling forgotten
Farmers have been told their best defence is mosquito controls as
The most recent detection was at the Betta Pork facility in Biloela.
Director Laurie Brosnan said he was following industry best practice
to keep his piggery safe, but it was not enough without an effective vaccine.
He said Betta Pork had an independent contractor who sprayed open waterways, puddles, and other areas "at a considerable cost".
"We also treat the animals to protect them against JEV," he said.
"It's just unfortunate that there's only so much you can do."
Laurie Brosnan says he is frustrated with the wait for a vaccine.
(
Supplied: Laurie Brosnan
)
He said he felt his industry had been forgotten.
"I can't help but feel that the pig industry is not front of mind,"
he said.
"I understand we're in election time, and politicians make promises as they do.
"I still feel that the government isn't prioritising or even giving the pig industry a fair go."
Top concern
Australian Pork chief executive Margo Andrea said JEV was a top concern for the industry.
"The previous outbreak in 2022 cost the industry millions of dollars and significantly impacted operations for piggeries across four states," she said.
"Three years later, JEV continues to contribute to losses for producers and their communities.
"We will continue pushing for a vaccine that will help keep our herds safe and healthy and help safeguard our producers' livelihoods."
Growing need
University of Queensland Associate Professor Jody Peters, who oversaw the development of one of the vaccines, said there was enough data to show that it was safe and effective.
Jody Peters (right) looks at cells used for vaccines with Jessica Harrison.
(
Supplied: University of Queensland
)
Dr Peters said her team started working on it as soon as they were notified of the first JEV outbreak in Australia in early 2022.
"The initial trials occurred at the end of 2022, and some additional trials occurred in 2023," she said.
"I think we have got sufficient data to prove that it is effective, and it is safe.
"But, ultimately, it is up to the regulatory bodies to determine whether we have produced enough data to date."
Dr Peters said the need for a commercially available vaccine was growing.
"With all of the flooding that's occurred recently, the mosquito that is likely the culprit for transmitting the virus would have bred up huge populations," she said.
"I am incredibly frustrated, as are pig farmers, with how long it is taking to get these approvals across the line.
"But I do believe that we will have a vaccine on the market in the future."
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