ICAR-NIHSAD develops indigenous attenuated vaccine for African Swine Fever
2-minute summary
Scientists at the ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (ICAR-NIHSAD), Bhopal, have developed India’s first indigenous vaccine for African Swine Fever (ASF). Developed using a novel attenuated ASFV Genotype II virus strain, the vaccine marks a major breakthrough in veterinary medicine and animal biosecurity. ASF is a severe, highly contagious viral disease that affects domestic and wild pigs, with mortality rates approaching 100%. First detected in India in 2020, the disease has caused catastrophic economic losses and severely impacted smallholder pig farmers, particularly in the Northeastern region. The newly developed vaccine is recommended for healthy pigs above eight weeks of age via a 1 ml intramuscular injection, followed by a booster dose 14 days later. Laboratory studies have confirmed its safety, purity, immunogenicity, genetic stability, and protective efficacy. By offering a reliable preventive tool, this indigenous vaccine will substantially reduce pig mortality, minimize farmer financial losses, and strengthen national animal health security.
Why it's in the news
ICAR-NIHSAD, Bhopal, has successfully developed India's first indigenous attenuated vaccine against African Swine Fever (ASF) using a novel Genotype II strain. This achievement provides a much-needed preventive solution to combat a devastating transboundary animal disease that has caused immense economic damage in India since 2020.
Background and context
African Swine Fever (ASF) is a severe, highly contagious viral disease affecting domestic and wild pigs. It causes hemorrhagic fever in infected animals and carries mortality rates approaching 100%. While ASF is not a zoonotic disease and does not infect humans, its economic impact on pig farming globally is catastrophic. In India, ASF was first officially detected in 2020 in Northeastern states like Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Due to the absence of commercially available vaccines or effective therapeutic treatments, disease control relied heavily on rapid diagnosis, movement restrictions, biosecurity protocols, and compulsory culling (stamping out). These measures resulted in massive losses to the rural pig farming sector—particularly in the Northeast, where piggery is vital for local livelihoods and nutritional security. The indigenous vaccine developed by ICAR addresses this critical technological gap.
Constitutional provisions
- Article 48 — Directs the State to organize agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines, and to take steps for preserving and improving animal breeds.
- Seventh Schedule (State List - Entry 15) — Pertains to the preservation, protection, and improvement of stock and prevention of animal diseases; veterinary training and practice.
Government schemes
- Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP) — Aims to prevent, control, and contain major livestock diseases through vaccination and disease surveillance across states.
- National Livestock Mission (NLM) — Focuses on sustainable development of the livestock sector, including breed improvement and support for smallholder pig farmers.
International organisations
- World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) — Global authority on animal health that monitors transboundary animal diseases like ASF and formulates international sanitary standards.
- Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) — Supports global disease surveillance, biosecurity strategies, and emergency control mechanisms for animal diseases affecting food security.
Mains practice: African Swine Fever (ASF) poses a critical challenge to livestock biosecurity and smallholder farm economies in India. Discuss the socio-economic impacts of ASF and evaluate the significance of indigenous vaccine development in strengthening national animal health infrastructure.
African Swine Fever (ASF) is a highly contagious transboundary viral disease affecting domestic and wild pigs, characterized by high mortality rates approaching 100%. First reported in India in 2020, its spread across multiple states has posed severe challenges to animal health security.
Socio-Economic Impacts of African Swine Fever:
• Heavy Economic Losses: Outbreaks lead to severe financial distress, causing hundreds of crores in losses through pig mortality and mandatory culling (e.g., severe losses reported in Assam and Mizoram).
• Threat to Rural Livelihoods: In regions like Northeast India, pig farming is a primary income source for marginal farmers and tribal communities; loss of livestock deepens socio-economic vulnerability.
• Supply Chain Disruption: Restrictions on animal movement, trade bans, and market closures destabilize local pork supply chains and food security.
• High Cost of Stamping-Out Operations: In the absence of vaccines, reliance on culling and strict biosecurity drains administrative resources and strains smallholder resilience.
Significance of Indigenous Vaccine Development:
• Biological Protection & Biosecurity: Developed by ICAR-NIHSAD using an attenuated Genotype II strain, the vaccine offers active immunity, drastically reducing swine mortality.
• Safeguarding Rural Livelihoods: Effective immunization prevents catastrophic livestock loss, protecting the economic foundation of smallholder farmers.
• Import Independence: Domestic development reduces dependence on foreign technology and aligns with the vision of self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) in veterinary science.
Conclusion:
The development of the indigenous ASF vaccine marks a major leap in veterinary biotechnology. Integrating this vaccine into national disease control frameworks like the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme will strengthen biosecurity and ensure sustainable growth for India's livestock sector.
Prelims practice questions
Q1. With reference to African Swine Fever (ASF), consider the following statements: 1. It is a highly contagious viral disease affecting domestic and wild pigs with mortality rates approaching 100%. 2. It is a major zoonotic disease that poses severe infection risk to human beings upon handling infected meat. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: A. Statement 1 is correct: African Swine Fever is a severe viral disease affecting pigs with mortality approaching 100%. Statement 2 is incorrect: ASF is NOT a zoonotic disease; it does not affect humans or pose a human health risk.
Q2. Which institution developed India's first indigenous attenuated vaccine for African Swine Fever (ASF)?
- ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly
- National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune
- ICAR-National Research Centre on Pig, Guwahati
- ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal
Answer: D. Scientists at the ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (ICAR-NIHSAD), Bhopal, developed India's first indigenous attenuated vaccine using a novel ASFV Genotype II virus.
Q3. Regarding the newly developed indigenous African Swine Fever (ASF) vaccine, consider the following statements: 1. It utilizes a novel attenuated ASFV Genotype II virus strain. 2. It is administered as a 1 ml intramuscular injection with a booster dose 14 days later. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: C. Both statements are correct. The vaccine is based on an attenuated Genotype II strain and requires a primary 1 ml intramuscular injection followed by a booster dose after 14 days.
Revision flashcards
- What is African Swine Fever (ASF) and what causes it? ASF is a highly contagious, severe viral hemorrhagic disease affecting domestic and wild pigs, caused by the African swine fever virus (ASFV).
- Is African Swine Fever a zoonotic disease? No. ASF does not infect humans and poses no risk to human health or public food safety.
- Which institute developed India's first indigenous vaccine for African Swine Fever? ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (ICAR-NIHSAD), Bhopal.
- What viral strain was used to develop the indigenous ASF vaccine? A novel attenuated ASFV Genotype II virus strain.
- What is the dosage and administration schedule for the indigenous ASF vaccine? A 1 ml intramuscular injection for healthy pigs above eight weeks of age, followed by a booster dose 14 days later.