News: Union Agriculture Minister dedicated India's first indigenous African Swine Fever (ASF) vaccine to the nation on ICAR Foundation Day.

Highlights

• India's first MA-104 cell line-based live-attenuated vaccine against African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV Genotype II).
• Developed by: ICAR–National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (ICAR-NIHSAD), Bhopal.
• Aim: Prevent ASF outbreaks, reduce pig mortality (up to 100%), avoid mass culling, and protect pig farmers' livelihoods (especially in North-East India).

Key Features

• Based on MA-104 cell line (non-proprietary; low-cost production).
• Targets ASFV Genotype II, the major strain causing outbreaks in India since 2020.
• Dose: 1 mL intramuscular injection for pigs above 8 weeks, followed by one booster after 14 days.
• Low-cost & scalable for mass production.
• Successfully validated for safety, sterility, genetic stability, immunogenicity, and field efficacy.