ICAR develops indigenous vaccine for African swine fever

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed India's first indigenous vaccine for African swine fever (ASF) in pigs. ASF, caused by the African swine fever virus, is a highly contagious and devastating trans-boundary disease affecting both domestic and wild pigs worldwide. ICAR's Director General, M.L. Jat, termed the development a "major leap" in animal health, marking a new era in veterinary science and showcasing India's growing capability to create world-class animal health solutions.

Scientists at ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (ICAR-NIHSAD) in Bhopal created the vaccine using a novel attenuated "ASFV Genotype II virus." The vaccine has undergone rigorous laboratory evaluations, including sterility, purity, safety, genetic stability, immunogenicity, protective efficacy, and virulence reversion studies.

Recommended for healthy pigs over eight weeks old, the vaccine is administered as a 1 millilitre intramuscular injection with a booster dose 14 days later. The indigenous vaccine is expected to significantly reduce pig mortality, minimize economic losses, and enhance the livelihoods of pig farmers nationwide. With mortality rates approaching 100% and severe socio-economic impacts on the global pig farming sector, the vaccine will bolster India's animal health security and support the sustainable growth of the pig farming industry.

Since its detection in India in 2020, ASF has spread across several states and union territories, causing massive pig mortality, disruption of pig production, trade restrictions, and livelihood losses, particularly in the Northeastern region. The Ministry noted that in the absence of an effective treatment or commercially approved vaccine, disease control in India has relied on rapid diagnosis, culling of infected animals, and stringent biosecurity measures.

In Assam, pig mortality and culling during initial outbreaks in 2020 and 2021 led to estimated losses of ₹276 crore, while in Mizoram, ASF outbreaks affected over 11,382 households up to 2025, resulting in an estimated financial loss of ₹982 crore.