PWD is a major concern significantly impacting Thailand's swine industry, a sector with approximately 20 million pigs and 1 million sows. Weaning is a stressful period for piglets: separation from the mother, changes in diet, and the immaturity of their digestive system make them vulnerable to disease. This vulnerability creates an ideal environment for the rapid multiplication of bacteria such as Escherichia coli, especially strains carrying the F4 and F18 adhesion factors. The consequences are significant: high mortality, substantial growth delays, and, for the farmers, considerable treatment costs.

In conventional protocols, the management of these infections worldwide has often relied on antibiotics. However, with the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and growing environmental concerns, the development of preventive alternatives, complementing good farming practices (hygiene, appropriate feeding, etc.), is crucial.

Our preventive alternatives spark farmer interest

It's within this context that we officially launched our two new vaccines at the recent CUVC 2025 congress. These vaccines specifically target F4 and F18 factors, which are the main bacterial causes of PWD and ED. Farmers have the flexibility to use these vaccines separately or in combination to address either or both of these conditions.
Oral vaccination with a live vaccine against enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) F4 and F18 strains offers a major advantage by targeting the piglet's first line of defense.

The interest shown by Thai farmers and veterinarians since the launch confirms the relevance of these solutions for the country. The CUVC 2025 congress, held from May 29th to 30th, also provided an opportunity to organize numerous scientific sessions, led by our experts and international specialists, to raise veterinarians' awareness of the importance of prevention and the risks associated with antibiotic resistance.

Settasart Sonna, technical manager - farm animal, Virbac Thailand: "Participants particularly appreciated the blend of theoretical knowledge and practical field experience, which clearly resonated with specialized swine veterinarians."

Supporting the shift in on-the-ground practices

The arrival of our live oral vaccines represents a turning point for Thailand in traditional disease management practices on farms. Their use requires suspending the use of antibiotics and disinfectants three days before and after administration, marking a significant change in habits that demands reinforced education on the ground.

Our Virbac teams in Thailand are fully committed to this support. Beyond the scientific interventions at CUVC 2025, our teams are also involved in field studies to provide farmers and veterinarians with tangible data. The objective is to clearly demonstrate the multiple benefits of precise prevention with our vaccines as a sustainable alternative to traditional methods.

Virbac: a global commitment to prevention

Our launch in Thailand underscores our commitment to advancing preventive healthcare in global swine farming. Since 2023, we have introduced six new vaccines in different regions worldwide, reaffirming our dedication to supporting livestock professionals for better management of major porcine diseases, particularly respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases.