India’s first indigenous African Swine Fever Vaccine for pigs

Why in News?
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 African Swine Fever (ASF) Vaccine for pigs.

About the Vaccine

• It is India’s first indigenously developed live attenuated vaccine against African Swine Fever (ASF).
• The vaccine has been developed using a novel attenuated African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) Genotype II with specific gene deletions in the MA-104 cell line.
• It is designed for large-scale production.
• The vaccine is recommended for healthy pigs above eight weeks of age.
• It is administered as:
  • 1 mL intramuscular injection, followed by
  • A booster dose after 14 days.

About African Swine Fever (ASF)

• African Swine Fever (ASF) is a highly contagious viral disease caused by the African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV).
• It affects domestic and wild pigs but does not infect humans.
• The disease is characterised by High fever, Haemorrhages, Loss of appetite, and High mortality, which can reach nearly 100%.
• ASF is one of the most serious transboundary animal diseases, causing major economic losses to the pig farming sector.
• No specific treatment is available, making prevention and vaccination critical for disease control.
• The disease was first reported in India in 2020 and has since spread to several States and Union Territories, particularly affecting pig farming in the North-Eastern region.

Source: PIB

CLICK HERE: UPSC PRELIMS & MAINS CURRENT AFFAIRS BASED WEEKLY TEST (ENG & HINDI)

CLICK HERE FOR GS TIMES PRAHAR UPSC GS MAINS TEST SERIES 

CLICK HERE: DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS QUIZ (FOR ALL EXAMINATIONS)