Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu launched Biolumpivaxin, the world's first Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals (DIVA) marker vaccine for Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), at a conference in Vijayawada on Wednesday. Developed by Biovet, a subsidiary of Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech, the vaccine addresses a critical challenge in the animal husbandry sector that has devastated India's cattle population.
LSD outbreaks in 2019 and 2022 resulted in approximately 200,000 cattle deaths across India, with economic losses estimated at over ₹18,337.76 crore. The disease, characterized by skin nodules, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and decreased milk yield, caused morbidity rates up to 80% with case fatality rates as high as 67% in states including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir.
Indigenous Development and Collaboration
Dr. Krishna Ella, Founder of Biovet and Executive Chairman of Bharat Biotech, described Biolumpivaxin as "a novel indigenous live-attenuated marker vaccine" developed using the LSD virus/Ranchi/2019 vaccine strain from the Indian Council of Agriculture Research-National Research Centre on Equines (ICAR-NRCE), Hisar.
"The DIVA Marker LSD vaccine is an important step toward eradicating LSD," said Ella. "Livestock, alongside our human resources, represents one of the nation's greatest assets, contributing significantly to our economy and overall prosperity. We carry a deep responsibility to protect this sector, ensure the well-being of the dairy industry, and advance the nation's Atmanirbhar Bharat vision."
The vaccine's quality, safety, and efficacy have been extensively tested at the Indian Council of Agriculture Research-Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) and ICAR-NRCE, ensuring it meets the highest global standards.
DIVA Technology: A Game-Changer for Disease Surveillance
What sets Biolumpivaxin apart is its DIVA (Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals) marker technology, which enables serological differentiation between naturally infected and vaccinated animals. This capability is crucial for effective disease surveillance and control strategies, allowing veterinary authorities to monitor the spread of the disease more accurately.
Vaccination has proven to be the most effective strategy for controlling LSD virus, particularly with homologous vaccines like Biolumpivaxin. The vaccine's introduction comes at a critical time, as LSD has emerged as a major threat to dairy productivity in India, impacting millions of small-scale marginal farmers.
Production Capacity and Distribution
Biovet has announced that it can produce 500 million doses of the vaccine from its production facilities in Bengaluru, ensuring sustainable supplies to meet national demand. This production capacity is significant given the scale of India's livestock population and the widespread nature of LSD outbreaks.
During the launch, Chief Minister Naidu called for measures to ensure effective distribution of the vaccine. "Besides helping the State to achieve the target of 20 percent in the livestock sector, it will promote the long-term sustainability of the dairy industry," he stated.
Economic Impact of LSD
The 2022 LSD outbreak in India had devastating consequences for the dairy industry, causing a 26 percent decline in milk production. When livestock contracts LSD, it suffers from high fever and painful skin nodules that can prove fatal and contaminate milk production. The infection drastically reduces milk yield, posing a serious threat to large-scale dairies and disrupting the broader milk supply chain.
For a country where the dairy sector is a crucial component of rural livelihoods, the economic implications of LSD outbreaks extend beyond direct cattle losses to impact the entire dairy value chain. The introduction of Biolumpivaxin represents a significant advancement in protecting this vital sector of India's economy.
Future Implications
The development of this indigenous vaccine aligns with India's push for self-reliance in critical sectors. As a transboundary animal disease, LSD poses challenges that extend beyond national borders, making effective control measures essential for regional livestock health.
With its advanced DIVA marker technology and extensive production capacity, Biolumpivaxin positions India at the forefront of veterinary vaccine innovation, potentially offering a solution not just domestically but for other countries grappling with LSD outbreaks.
