India Develops Its Own Indigenous Vaccine Against African Swine Fever
India has developed its own indigenous vaccine against African Swine Fever (ASF), a highly contagious viral disease of pigs, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced at the 98th Foundation Day of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The MA-104 Cell-Based Live Attenuated ASF Vaccine for Pigs was developed by ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal, using an Indian field isolate of the virus. India becomes one of the few nations, after Vietnam, to develop an ASF vaccine — a critical tool against a disease causing near-100% mortality in pigs.
Key Facts & Details
7 points- 1India developed an indigenous vaccine against African Swine Fever (ASF).
- 2It is the MA-104 Cell-Based Live Attenuated ASF Vaccine for Pigs.
- 3It was developed by ICAR-NIHSAD, Bhopal, using an Indian field isolate of the virus.
- 4The announcement was made by Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan at ICAR's 98th Foundation Day.
- 5ASF causes near-100% mortality in domestic and wild pigs; India follows Vietnam in developing a vaccine.
Deep Dive
- +Previously, strict farm biosecurity and culling were the main methods of controlling ASF in India.
- +ICAR reported developing 386 improved crop varieties across 44 crops in the past year, of which 94% are climate-resilient.
Exam Focus
Which ICAR institute developed India's indigenous African Swine Fever vaccine?
Related Topics
Exam Relevance & Angle
Indigenous vaccine breakthroughs are strong science & health exam items. The vaccine name, the developing institute (ICAR-NIHSAD, Bhopal) and the 'after Vietnam' framing are testable hooks.
Target Exams
Background & Context
African Swine Fever (ASF) is a highly contagious viral disease affecting domestic and wild pigs, causing near-total mortality, though it does not infect humans. There is no globally licensed cure, and outbreaks devastate pig farming. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), under the Ministry of Agriculture, coordinates agricultural research; its National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal handles dangerous animal pathogens. An indigenous ASF vaccine strengthens India's livestock disease preparedness.
Test Yourself
1 / 2India's indigenous African Swine Fever vaccine was developed by which institute?
Source
This topic is important for:
