Indigenous African Swine Fever (ASF) Vaccine Developed by ICAR Bolsters India's Biosecurity

Key Highlights:

• India has developed its first indigenous MA-104_Cell_Line-Based Live Attenuated African Swine Fever (ASF) Vaccine for pigs.
• The vaccine was developed by ICAR–National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (ICAR-NIHSAD), Bhopal.
• African Swine Fever (ASF), caused by African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV), was first detected in India in 2020, causing significant economic losses.
• The vaccine has undergone comprehensive laboratory and field validation, proving its safety and efficacy.
• This breakthrough aims to reduce pig mortality, minimize economic losses, and strengthen India's animal health security.

Detailed Insights:

• African Swine Fever (ASF) is a devastating trans-boundary animal disease with mortality rates approaching 100% in domestic and wild pigs.
• Outbreaks in India, particularly in the North-Eastern region, have led to massive pig mortality and livelihood losses for farmers.
• Estimated losses include ₹276 crore in Assam (2020-21) and ₹982 crore in Mizoram (up to 2025).
• The indigenous vaccine uses an attenuated ASFV Genotype II virus with unique gene deletions in the MA-104 cell line.
• It is administered as a 1 mL intramuscular injection, followed by a booster dose 14 days later, for pigs above eight weeks of age.
• This development eliminates dependence on proprietary manufacturing platforms used by other commercially licensed ASF vaccines, reducing production costs.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• African Swine Fever (ASF): A highly contagious and deadly viral disease affecting domestic and wild pigs, with no effective treatment or commercial vaccine until recently.
• Live Attenuated Vaccine: A vaccine made from a weakened, live form of the virus that can still replicate but does not cause disease, stimulating a strong immune response.
• MA-104 cell line: A widely available and established cell culture used for growing viruses in laboratories, crucial for large-scale vaccine production.