African Swine Fever (ASF) Vaccine
Prelims:
Science & Technology, Biotechnology
Mains:
GS Paper III- Science &
Technology, Biotechnology
Current relevance:
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research
(ICAR) has developed India's first indigenous MA-104 cell line-based
live attenuated vaccine against African Swine Fever (ASF).
Highlights:
1.
African
Swine Fever (ASF) is a trans-boundary
viral disease affecting domestic and wild pigs, characterised by high
fever, haemorrhages, and mortality rates that may approach 100%.
2. Impact in India:
Since its detection in India in 2020,
African Swine Fever (ASF) has spread across several States and Union
Territories, leading to widespread pig mortality, disruption of pig
production, restrictions on animal movement and trade, and severe
livelihood losses, particularly in the North-Eastern region.
3. About African
Swine Fever (ASF) Vaccine:
i.
Scientists at the ICAR–National Institute of High
Security Animal Diseases (ICAR-NIHSAD), Bhopal, have developed India's first
indigenous MA-104 cell line-based live attenuated vaccine against African
Swine Fever (ASF).
ii.
The vaccine
has been developed using a novel attenuated ASFV Genotype II virus with
unique gene deletions.
iii.
The vaccine
has successfully undergone laboratory evaluation and field validation,
establishing its safety and efficacy.
iv.
It is
recommended for healthy pigs above eight weeks of age and is
administered as a 1 mL intramuscular injection, followed by a booster
dose after 14 days.
v.
Significance:
·
The indigenous
vaccine is expected to reduce pig mortality, minimise economic losses,
strengthen animal health security, and support the sustainable growth
of India's pig farming sector.
·
Unlike
commercially licensed ASF vaccines available in Vietnam that depend on patented
proprietary cell lines, the indigenous vaccine is developed using the widely
available MA-104 cell line.
·
This enables large-scale
vaccine production, lowers manufacturing costs, and reduces dependence on
proprietary technologies.
·
Towards Atmanirbhar
Bharat, the indigenous ASF vaccine marks a major advancement in veterinary
vaccine research by strengthening disease preparedness, enhancing food
and biosecurity, and reinforcing India's capability to develop globally
competitive animal health technologies.
Source: PIB - https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2294280®=48&lang=1