BIOLUMPIVAXIN: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

BIOLUMPIVAXIN: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

NEWS: Lumpy skin disease vaccine developed by Bharat Biotech group firm with ICAR gets CDSCO licence

Lumpy Skin Disease Vaccine Development: A Major Breakthrough

India has successfully developed Biolumpivaxin, the world’s first DIVA marker vaccine for Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in cattle, which has recently received a license from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). This single-dose vaccine, developed through a collaboration between Bharat Biotech’s Biovet and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), is a significant step in controlling and eradicating LSD in India.

 

1. Understanding Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in Cattle

What is Lumpy Skin Disease?

  • Cause: A viral disease caused by Lumpy Skin Disease Virus (LSDV), a member of the Poxviridae family.
  • Transmission:
  • Spread through blood-feeding insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, and biting flies.
  • Direct contact between infected and healthy animals.
  • Contaminated water, feed, and equipment.
  • Symptoms:
  • High fever and skin nodules (on head, neck, limbs, udder, and genitalia).
  • Weight loss, reduced milk production, infertility, and eye and nasal discharge.
  • In severe cases, it can cause death.
  • Economic Impact:
  • Affects milk production, fertility, and trade of cattle.
  • Leads to severe economic losses for farmers.
  • Zoonotic Status:
  • Not a zoonotic disease – does not infect humans.

Geographical Spread of LSD

  • First detected: Zambia (1929).
  • Spread to: Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Europe, and West and Central Asia.
  • India:
  • First reported case: Odisha (2019).
  • Rapid outbreaks in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra, and other states.

 

2. Biolumpivaxin: A Revolutionary Vaccine for LSD

Key Features of Biolumpivaxin

·         World’s First DIVA (Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals) Vaccine.

·         Developed by: Biovet (Bharat Biotech Group) in collaboration with ICAR.

·         Approved by: Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO).

·         Single-dose, once-a-year vaccine for cattle and buffaloes above 3 months of age.

·         Highly Safe & Effective: Successfully tested for quality, safety, and efficacy.

What is DIVA Technology?

  • DIVA (Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals) technology allows:
  • Clear distinction between naturally infected and vaccinated animals.
  • Accurate disease surveillance and eradication programs.
  • Better livestock trade opportunities, as countries often impose restrictions on vaccinated animals due to difficulties in differentiation.

 

Advantages of Biolumpivaxin over Traditional Vaccines

Feature

Biolumpivaxin (DIVA Vaccine)

Traditional LSD Vaccines

Type

DIVA Marker Vaccine

Live-Attenuated Vaccine

Differentiation of Infected & Vaccinated Animals

Yes

No

Doses Required

Single Dose (Once a Year)

May Require Booster Doses

Trade Benefits

 Allows export without restrictions

Restrictions due to inability to differentiate animals

Surveillance Benefits

Helps in precise disease tracking

Difficult to track outbreaks

 

3. Other Vaccines for LSD in India

Lumpi-ProVacInd Vaccine

  • Developed by: Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
  • Type: Live-attenuated, homologous vaccine.
  • Provides immunity but does not use DIVA technology.

 

 

4. Understanding Different Types of Vaccines

Type of Vaccine

Definition

Example Diseases

Inactivated Vaccines

Uses killed pathogens to trigger immunity.

Hepatitis A, Polio (shot), Rabies

Live-attenuated Vaccines

Uses weakened pathogens for long-lasting immunity.

MMR, Rotavirus, Smallpox

mRNA Vaccines

Uses messenger RNA to produce proteins that trigger immunity.

Covid-19

Subunit, Recombinant, Polysaccharide Vaccines

Uses specific germ components like proteins or sugars.

Hepatitis B, HPV, Pneumococcal disease

Toxoid Vaccines

Uses toxins from a pathogen to create immunity.

Diphtheria, Tetanus

Viral Vector Vaccines

Uses modified viruses as carriers for protection.

Covid-19 (Adenovirus-based vaccines)

 

6. Conclusion: Why Biolumpivaxin is a Landmark Development?

·         First-of-its-kind vaccine: Global first in DIVA marker technology for LSD.

·         Improves disease surveillance: Helps in tracking infected animals accurately.

·         Boosts India's self-reliance: Reduces dependency on imported vaccines.

·         Better economic outcomes for farmers: Prevents large-scale cattle deaths, ensuring sustained dairy production and trade.

·         Supports India’s ‘One Health’ approach: Strengthens livestock disease control and food security.

 

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/lumpy-skin-disease-vaccine-developed-by-bharat-biotech-group-firm-with-icar-gets-cdsco-licence/article69201969.ece