India unveils first indigenous African Swine Fever vaccine for pigs

The vaccine has undergone extensive laboratory evaluation, including tests for sterility, purity, safety, genetic stability, immunogenicity, protective efficacy and virulence reversion

Union Ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Rajiv Ranjan Singh dedicated India's first indigenous African Swine Fever (ASF) vaccine to the nation, marking a significant milestone in the country's efforts to combat one of the world's most devastating diseases affecting domestic and wild pigs.

Developed by scientists at the ICAR–National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (ICAR-NIHSAD), Bhopal, the MA-104 Cell Line-Based Live Attenuated African Swine Fever Vaccine is the first indigenous vaccine against ASF and is expected to strengthen India's preparedness against the disease while protecting the livelihoods of pig farmers.

African Swine Fever, caused by the African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV), is a highly contagious disease characterised by high fever, haemorrhages and mortality rates that can reach nearly 100 per cent. 

Since its first detection in India in 2020, the disease has spread across several states and Union Territories, causing widespread pig mortality, disrupting production and trade, and severely affecting smallholder pig farmers, particularly in the North-Eastern region.

The economic impact has been substantial. During the initial outbreaks in Assam in 2020 and 2021, pig deaths and culling led to estimated losses of around Rs. 276 crore. In Mizoram, ASF outbreaks have affected more than 11,382 households until 2025, resulting in estimated losses of Rs. 982 crore, highlighting the urgent need for an effective indigenous preventive solution.

The vaccine has been developed using a novel attenuated ASFV Genotype II virus with unique gene deletions in the MA-104 cell line, enabling large-scale production without dependence on proprietary manufacturing platforms. Scientists said the technology represents a major breakthrough as it significantly lowers manufacturing costs while supporting scalable vaccine production.

The vaccine has undergone extensive laboratory evaluation, including tests for sterility, purity, safety, genetic stability, immunogenicity, protective efficacy and virulence reversion. It was also field validated in collaboration with the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD) under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, confirming its safety and effectiveness under field conditions.

The vaccine is recommended for healthy pigs above eight weeks of age and is administered as a 1 mL intramuscular injection, followed by a booster dose after 14 days.

Speaking on the achievement, Dr. M.L. Jat, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and Director General of ICAR, said the breakthrough marks the beginning of a new era in veterinary science and reflects India's growing capability to develop world-class animal health solutions.