Stories in recent weeks have hailed possible vaccines to stop the spread of the deadly African swine fever (ASF) virus. But a useable system for U.S. pork producers isn’t as close as hog farmers would like, according to an official with the National Pork Board.

“A couple of companies are working with USDA’s Agricultural Research Service on some vaccine candidates,” said Dr. Dave Pyburn, vice president of science and technology at the National Pork Board. “Neither one of those are imminent. We are likely years away.”

Pyburn said interest is high right now in treatments for ASF.

“Everybody’s at a heightened state of awareness, but I don’t...