Biolumpivaxin: Chandrababu Naidu launches new vaccine against lumpy skin disease in Vijayawada

Karnataka-based Biovet to produce 500 million doses of LSD vaccine

Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu launched indigenous Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) vaccine Biolumpivaxin in Vijayawada on Wednesday.

Developed by Biovet, a subsidiary of Bharat Biotech, this CDSCO-approved vaccine is the world's first Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals (DIVA) marker vaccine, enhancing disease surveillance capabilities to protect livestock.

Biovet Private Ltd, an emerging animal health vaccine producing company located at Malur, Karnataka currently has a world class Foot and Mouth Disease vaccine production facility at the Malur KIADS near Bangalore and is committed to produce animal health care products including veterinary biologicals, bio-vaccines and other related products for large animals, poultry and pet animals.

This LSD vaccine requires only a single annual dose for cattle and buffaloes of all ages. According to national statistics from the Animal Husbandry and Dairy Ministry, India has experienced two major LSD outbreaks first in 2019 and again in 2022 resulting in approximately 200,000 cattle deaths.

Millions more lost milk production capabilities due to the disease. When infected with LSD, livestock suffer from high fever and painful skin nodules that can prove fatal and contaminate milk. The infection significantly reduces milk yield, posing a serious threat to large-scale dairies and disrupting the broader milk supply chain.

Launching the lumpy skin disease vaccine Biolumpivaxin Naidu remarked, it is heartening to note the availability of world class made in India vaccine.

He emphasised that all viable measures should be taken earnestly to ensure the effective rollout of the vaccine, which not only can contribute to the state’s targeted 20% livestock growth trajectory but also promote the long-term sustainability of the dairy industry.

Stating that DIVA Marker LSD vaccine as an important step toward eradicating Lumpy disease, Biovet, founder and Executive Chairman of Bharat Biotech, Dr. Krishna Ella, said , “We are truly honoured. 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.”

BIOLUMPIVAXIN is a novel indigenous live-attenuated marker vaccine developed using the LSD virus/Ranchi/2019 vaccine strain from Indian Council of Agriculture Research-National Research Centre on Equines (ICAR-NRCE), Hisar, in collaboration with Biovet.

The quality, safety, and efficacy of Biolumpivaxin have been extensively tested at Indian Council of Agriculture Research-Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) and the Indian Council of Agriculture Research-National Research Centre on Equines (ICAR-NRCE) ensuring it meets the highest global standards. The vaccine also enables serological differentiation between naturally infected and vaccinated animals with the DIVA concept.

Biovet can produce 500 million doses of the vaccine from its production facilities in Bengaluru, ensuring sustainable supplies.

The Ministry of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Fisheries, the livestock sector has grown around 10% in the nine years and contributed to total agriculture and allied sector to over 30% from 24.36%.

LSD virus transmission is largely attributed to vector bites, with mosquitoes, ticks, and other biting insects playing an essential role.

During the 2022 LSD outbreak in India, morbidity rates reached up to 80% with case fatality rates as high as 67%, across states such as Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir. This caused an estimated economic loss of over ₹18,337.76 crore and a 26% decline in milk production, significantly harming the dairy industry and the rural economy.