Key Facts and Data Points
- Developer: ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (ICAR-NIHSAD), Bhopal
- Vaccine Type: Live attenuated vaccine
- Target Virus: African Swine Fever Virus (Genotype II)
- Technology: Attenuated virus with specific gene deletions
- Cell Line: MA-104 cell line (widely available)
- Significance: India’s first indigenous ASF vaccine
Background and Context
About African Swine Fever (ASF)
- First Description: Kenya, 1921
- Arrival in India: 2020
- Nature: Highly contagious viral disease affecting domestic and wild pigs
- Causing Agent: African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV)
- Mortality Rate: Up to 100% in affected pig populations
- Classification: Listed disease of World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), formerly OIE
Transmission Routes
- Direct contact with infected pigs or carcasses
- Contaminated feed and food waste
- Contaminated equipment, clothing, footwear, and vehicles
- Pork products from infected animals
- Soft ticks (Ornithodoros species) in certain regions
Global Spread
- 1921: First described in Kenya
- 2007: Emerged in Georgia
- Post-2007: Spread across Europe
- Later: Reached Asia, Oceania, and parts of the Caribbean
- Continues to affect: Several African countries
India Scenario
- First detected in India in 2020
- Spread across several States and Union Territories
- Particularly affected the North-Eastern region
- Caused:
- Large-scale pig deaths
- Movement restrictions
- Disruption of pork production and trade
Significance for India
Agricultural Impact
- Reduces pig mortality: Direct benefit to pig farmers
- Reduces farmers' losses: Economic protection for livestock rearers
- Strengthens livestock biosecurity: Prevents future outbreaks
- Food biosecurity: Ensures safe pork production
Strategic Benefits
- India emerging as supplier of affordable veterinary vaccines
- Cost-effective production due to widely available MA-104 cell line
- Self-reliance in animal health technology
- Potential for export of vaccines and expertise
Related Organizations
| Organization | Role |
|---|---|
| ICAR-NIHSAD | Developed the indigenous vaccine |
| WOAH (formerly OIE) | International body listing ASF as notifiable disease |
| Member countries | Required to notify WOAH of ASF outbreaks |
Important Points to Remember
- Zoonotic Status: ASF is NOT a zoonotic disease
- Human Safety: Does not infect humans
- Indirect Spread: Humans can spread through contaminated materials
- Vaccine Technology: Live attenuated with specific gene deletions (similar to inverse genetics approach)
- Cell Line: MA-104 (derived from African green monkey kidney cells, also used for vaccine production)