Three Revolutionary IVRI Vaccines Launched: FMD, PPR & Canine Parvovirus Defense

Three Advanced Vaccines by IVRI Released on ICAR’s 97th Foundation Day

Boosting India’s Animal Health & Farmer Livelihoods

New Delhi, 18 July 2025 – Three cutting-edge vaccines developed by the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Izatnagar, were released during the 97th Foundation Day celebrations of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The event symbolized the institute’s remarkable achievements in science, research, and innovation.

Dignitaries Present at the Ceremony

Key Leaders in Agriculture and Animal Husbandry
Chief Guest: Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
Attendees:

• Shri Bhagirath Choudhary, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
• Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research & Education, and ICAR Director General
• Shri Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary (Animal Husbandry)
• Dr. Raghavendra Bhatt, Deputy Director General (Animal Science)
• Dr. Triveni Dutt, Director, IVRI

Three Revolutionary Vaccines Unveiled

Game-Changers for Livestock Disease Control

1. Novel DIVA-Enabled Trivalent FMD Vaccine

Developer: Dr. Suresh H. Basagoudanavar and team.
Specialty: World’s first vaccine differentiating infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA).
Basis: Non-structural protein (NSP) deletion technology using Indian FMD virus strains (O, A, Asia-1).
Economic Impact:

• FMD causes India ₹20,000–₹21,000 crore in annual losses (milk yield decline, treatment costs, market restrictions).
• 2008 report: Annual revenue loss ≈ ₹20,000 crore.
• 2013–14 study: Losses up to ₹20,897 crore in cattle/buffaloes (Source: researchgate.net).

About Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD)

Causative Agent: Aphthovirus (smallest animal virus, family Picornaviridae).
Affected Animals: Cloven-hoofed species (cows, buffaloes, goats, sheep, pigs).
Impact: Reduces milk/meat/wool production; strain C eradicated in India.

2. IVRI-M Recombinant PPR Marker Vaccine

Developer: Dr. S. Chandrashekhar’s virology team.
Specialty: Distinguishes antibodies in vaccinated vs. infected animals.
Goal: Supports global PPR (Goat Plague) eradication by 2030.

About PPR (Peste des Petits Ruminants)

Causative Agent: Morbillivirus (targets digestive system).
Primary Host: Goats.

3. Live Attenuated Canine Parvovirus Vaccine

Developer: Dr. Vishal Bandar and team.
Strain: Bareilly_IVRI/CPVnew2a/914.
Objective: Prevents severe diarrhea/vomiting/dehydration in dogs.
Technology: Cell-culture-based live attenuated vaccine from Indian canine virus strain.

National Significance:

• Reflects India’s scientific self-reliance (“Atmanirbhar Bharat”).
• Enhances livestock productivity, farmer income security, and disease control.

Why Animal Vaccination is Non-Negotiable

Safeguarding Livelihoods and Economy

The Rising Threat of Animal Diseases

• Pollution and evolving pathogens cause new livestock/bird diseases daily.
• Epidemics cripple India’s economy, where animal husbandry contributes significantly.

Economic Risks of Skipping Vaccination

• Existing preventable diseases (like FMD/PPR) cause losses if farmers delay shots due to misinformation.
• Unvaccinated animals spread epidemics, affecting regional health systems and livestock populations.

Government’s Proactive Measures

• Combined vaccines: Single-shot protection against multiple diseases.
• Awareness campaigns: Promote timely vaccination benefits.
• Deworming mandate: Essential pre-vaccination step.

Vaccine Science Simplified

From Jenner to Modern IVRI Innovations

What is a Vaccine?

A medicine developing active immunity against infectious diseases by preparing the immune system.

Historical Milestone

• Term “vaccine” coined by Edward Jenner (1796).
• First vaccine: Smallpox (from cowpox virus).

Vaccination Best Practices

1. Pre-vaccination check: Only healthy animals.
2. Deworming: Mandatory before shots.
3. Administration routes:
   • Subcutaneous (S/C): Most animals.
   • Intramuscular (I/M): Specific diseases.
   • Intra-dermal: CCPP vaccine for goats/sheep.

Benefits of Timely Livestock Vaccination

Healthier Animals, Wealthier Farmers

• Milk/meat/wool boost: Healthy animals = higher productivity.
• Poultry gains: Increased egg/meat output.
• Zoonotic risk reduction: Minimizes animal-to-human disease transmission.
• Farm protection: Prevents mass mortality in outbreaks.
• Economic growth: Strengthens national economy.

Source: Press release by Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), ICAR.