On Sunday, Indian Immunologicals Ltd (IIL)- a Hyderabad-based vaccine manufacturer launched a goat pox vaccine in India. Aimed to save goats from this disease, the ‘Raksha Goat Pox’ is a live attenuated vaccine I.P. (Uttarkashi strain) grown on vero cell culture. Notably, this vaccine will become a lifesaver for rural livestock breeders as it will help them yield higher economic returns by saving cattle from the highly contagious disease.
Annual re-vaccination required for complete immunisation
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Tested and certified for commercial release, the technology for the vaccine was taken from the Indian Council of Agriculture Research-Indian Veterinary Research Institute (ICAR- IVRI), Government of India. While the primary vaccination has to be done when the kid is of 3 months, this shot needs to be administered annually.
During the launch, Dr K. Anand Kumar- the Managing Director of IIL said, “Indian Immunologicals is committed to introducing such products for the national interest and will abundantly help marginal livestock growers of their livelihood and protect their flock from various diseases.”
Apart from the MD, Dr. Priyabrata Pattnaik the Deputy Managing Director of IIL and Vice President of Animal Health Trade Sobhan Babu also marked their presence at the event. Notably, this is not the first vaccine launched by IIL under the tech transfer arrangement with the IVRI. One of the leading vaccine makers in India, this firm had earlier launched several other vaccines such as the classical swine fever vaccine, PPR vaccine.
What is goat pox?
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An endemic in many parts of Asia, Africa and the Middle East, goat pox is a highly contagious disease that spreads through contact, aerosol, and through vectors like flies. While this disease can affect goats across all ages, breeds and sexes, it is likely to affect young, old and lactating animals more severely, resulting in deaths as well.
According to a study, the prevalence rate varies as per the agroclimatic zones and maybe up to 48 per cent in certain parts, as per a study. With morbidity rates at up to 100% and mortality up to 85%, this disease piles up huge losses for the small animal farmers or livestock owners. This newly-launched vaccine is aimed to save and increase the present 150 million goat population in India thereby helping the cattle rearers.
