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Scientists at ICAR–National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (ICAR-NIHSAD), Bhopal have developed India's first indigenous MA-104 Cell Line-Based Live Attenuated African Swine Fever (ASF) vaccine for pigs.

About African Swine Fever (ASF)

African Swine Fever (ASF) is a highly contagious viral disease affecting domestic pigs and wild boars. It is caused by the African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV), a DNA virus belonging to the Asfarviridae family.

The disease is characterised by high fever, haemorrhages, and mortality rates that can reach nearly 100%, causing major economic losses to the pig farming sector. ASF is not zoonotic, meaning it does not infect humans or other livestock.

Distribution and Transmission

Originally confined to sub-Saharan Africa, ASF has spread across Europe, Asia, and Africa. India reported its first outbreak in January 2020 in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, and the disease has since spread to several States and Union Territories.

The virus is highly resilient and can survive for long periods in the environment, contaminated equipment, clothing, vehicles, and processed pork products. It spreads through:

• Direct contact with infected pigs or wild boars.
• Soft ticks in tropical and subtropical regions.
• Contaminated feed, equipment, vehicles, and other fomites.

Symptoms

Clinical signs generally appear 3–15 days after infection and include:

• High fever, lethargy, and loss of appetite.
• Skin reddening, especially on the ears, tail, feet, chest, and abdomen.
• Diarrhoea, vomiting, breathing difficulty, swollen eyes, abortions, and sudden death in severe cases.

Treatment and Prevention

There is no specific treatment for ASF. Disease control relies primarily on strict biosecurity measures, surveillance, movement restrictions, and culling of infected animals.

While a few commercial ASF vaccines are available in Vietnam, India has now developed its first indigenous MA-104 Cell Line-Based Live Attenuated ASF vaccine, marking a significant step towards strengthening the country's preparedness against the disease.