ICAR’s vaccine against African Swine Fever (ASF) to bolster India’s biosecurity

Indian Council of Agricultural Research on Tuesday said that its indigenously developed vaccine against African Swine Fever (ASF), caused by ASF virus, will help the country substantially reduce pig mortality, minimise economic losses and improve the livelihoods of pig farmers.

African Swine Fever is one of the most devastating trans-boundary animal diseases affecting domestic and wild pigs worldwide. Characterised by high fever, haemorrhages and mortality rates that may approach 100 per cent, the disease has caused severe socio-economic losses to the global pig farming sector, ICAR said in a statement.

Since its first detection in India in 2020, ASF has spread to several States and Union Territories, resulting in massive pig mortality, disruption of pig production, restrictions on animal movement and trade, and significant livelihood losses for smallholder pig farmers, particularly in the North-Eastern region. In the absence of an effective treatment or a commercially approved vaccine in India, disease control so far has relied on rapid diagnosis, culling of infected animals and strict biosecurity measures, it said.

During the initial outbreaks in Assam in 2020 and 2021, pig mortality and culling resulted in an estimated loss of ₹276 crore. In Mizoram, the ASF outbreaks had affected more than 11,382 households until 2025, resulting in an estimated loss of about ₹982 crore.

“These outbreaks have highlighted the urgent need for an effective indigenous solution to strengthen disease preparedness, protect farmers’ livelihoods and build resilience in the country’s pig farming sector,” it said.

In developing the MA-104_Cell_Line-Based Live Attenuated ASF Vaccine for pigs at National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal, a novel attenuated ASFV Genotype II virus with unique gene deletions in the MA-104 cell line has been used. The vaccine has successfully undergone comprehensive laboratory evaluation, including sterility, purity, safety, genetic stability, immunogenicity, protective efficacy and virulence reversion studies.

It was also field validated in collaboration with the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD), further establishing its safety and efficacy under field conditions, the government said.

“This breakthrough marks the dawn of a new era in veterinary science. It reflects India’s growing scientific capability to develop world-class animal health solutions and paves the way for a new generation of indigenously developed vaccines and innovative technologies that will strengthen livestock health, enhance disease preparedness, and support the nation’s food and biosecurity, said M L Jat, Director General, ICAR.

Published on August 4, 2026