SYLLABUS

GS-3: Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology. 

Context: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed India's first indigenous MA-104 Cell Line-Based Live Attenuated African Swine Fever (ASF) Vaccine for pigs, marking a major breakthrough in veterinary biotechnology and animal health. 

About the Vaccine

• Developed by ICAR–National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (ICAR-NIHSAD), Bhopal. 

• India's first indigenous MA-104 Cell Line-Based Live Attenuated African Swine Fever (ASF) Vaccine. 

• Developed using a novel attenuated ASFV Genotype II virus with unique gene deletions in the MA-104 cell line. 

• Uses the widely available MA-104 cell line, making it suitable for large-scale and cost-effective production. 

• Eliminates dependence on proprietary manufacturing platforms used in commercially licensed ASF vaccines. 

• Recommended for healthy pigs above 8 weeks with a 1 mL intramuscular dose followed by a booster after 14 days.

About African Swine Fever (ASF)

• African Swine Fever (ASF) is a highly contagious trans-boundary viral disease caused by the African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV). 

• It affects domestic and wild pigs. 

• It is characterised by high fever, haemorrhages and mortality rates that may approach 100%. 

• It is among the world's most devastating livestock diseases, causing severe socio-economic losses to the pig farming sector. 

• No effective treatment exists, and before this development India had no commercially approved ASF vaccine; disease control depended on rapid diagnosis, culling and strict biosecurity measures. 

• Impact of ASF in India:

• ASF was first detected in India in 2020 and has since spread to several States and Union Territories. 
• The outbreaks caused massive pig mortality, disrupted pig production, restricted animal movement and trade, and severely affected smallholder pig farmers, especially in the North-Eastern region. 
• During the 2020–21 Assam outbreaks, pig mortality and culling caused estimated losses of ₹276 crore. 
• In Mizoram, ASF affected over 11,382 households up to 2025, resulting in estimated losses of ₹982 crore. 

Significance of the Vaccine

• Disease Control: The vaccine is expected to significantly reduce pig mortality by providing an effective preventive tool against ASF, one of the world's most destructive livestock diseases. 

• Farmer Livelihoods: It will minimise economic losses and strengthen the livelihoods of pig farmers, particularly in North-Eastern India, where ASF outbreaks have been most severe. 

• Animal Health Security: The vaccine will strengthen India's animal health security, improve disease preparedness, and enhance livestock biosecurity against future ASF outbreaks. 

• Affordable Production: The use of the widely available MA-104 cell line enables large-scale, cost-effective vaccine production by eliminating dependence on proprietary manufacturing platforms. 

• Scientific Breakthrough: The development demonstrates India's growing capability to produce world-class indigenous veterinary vaccines and advanced animal health technologies. 

• Food & Biosecurity: By protecting the pig population, the vaccine contributes to food security, biosecurity, and the sustainable growth of India's livestock sector. 

• Atmanirbhar Bharat: The indigenous vaccine advances the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat by reducing reliance on imported veterinary technologies. 

• Global Potential: India joins the few countries with indigenous ASF vaccine capability, creating opportunities to become a global supplier of affordable veterinary vaccines.