Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu launches vaccine for lumpy skin disease in animals
Applauding Biovet, an animal vaccine maker and a subsidiary of Bharat Biotech located at Malur in Karnataka, Mr. Naidu said the launch of the vaccine was an important step towards eradicating LSD, and measures should be taken to ensure effective rollout of the vaccine, which could contribute to the State's targeted 20% livestock growth trajectory and promote the long-term sustainability of the dairy industry, a press release from the company said.
The quality and efficacy of the vaccine, developed in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), was tested at ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) and the ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines (ICAR-NRCE), the release added.
The company received the Central Drug Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO) licence for the vaccine in February.
Biolumpivaxin is also the world's first 'Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals' (DIVA) marker vaccine. Such marker vaccines are designed to produce an immune response distinct from that of natural infection.
The company said the vaccine was given once in a year to cattle and buffaloes of all ages. It said it could produce 500 million doses from its production facilities in Bengaluru, ensuring sustainable supplies.
LSD is a transboundary animal disease, characterised by development of skin nodules across the body, fever, swollen lymph nodes, decreased milk yield and difficulty in movement. LSD virus transmission is largely attributed to vector bites, with mosquitoes, ticks, and other biting insects playing an essential role.
The company said vaccination proved to be the most effective strategy for controlling LSD virus. It might take 3 to 4 weeks to mount desired immunity in the vaccinated animals. Hence, advance vaccination to be done as a preventive measure to protect dairy cattle and buffaloes from LSD.
Expressing gratitude to the Chief Minister, Krishna Ella, Founder, Biovet, and Executive Chairman of Bharat Biotech, said livestock, alongside human resources, represented one of the nation's greatest assets, contributing significantly to the Indian economy and that they carried a responsibility to protect this sector and ensure the well-being of the dairy industry.
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