Context: Recently, a Technology License Agreement ceremony on “Brucella abortus S19Δ per vaccine” was held between ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) and Hester Biosciences Limited.
About Brucella abortus S19Δ per vaccine

• It is developed by ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI).
• The vaccine has DIVA capability meaning that it can differentiate between naturally infected and vaccinated animals.
• In India, calf-hood vaccination is practiced using live attenuated B. abortus S19 strain for control of the disease.
• B. abortus S19 strain is a very strong immunogen and provides lifelong immunity.
• The vaccine candidate was developed under DBT funded “Brucellosis network program”.

Importance

• The new vaccine strain developed at ICAR-IVRI, a modified strain of B. abortus S19, overcomes several drawbacks of the currently-used vaccine B. abortus S19, such as residual virulence to human and animals, not suitable for vaccination in adult animals, causing abortion when used in pregnant animals and also interfering with sero-diagnosis of clinical infection.

What is Brucellosis?

• Brucellosis is one of the most important zoonotic diseases worldwide which is also endemic in India causing huge economic losses to the dairy industry due to infertility, abortion, birth of weak offsprings and reduced productivity.
• It is responsible for abortions in cattle, buffalo, sheep and goats leading to infertility.
• Prevention of abortions will add new calves to the animal population leading to enhanced milk production.
• Brucellosis is an economically important zoonotic disease. Economic losses due to this disease is almost Rs.350 million per annum.
• It is a highly contagious disease.

Brucellosis Control Programme

• This programme was formerly known as the National Control Programme on Brucellosis.
• It was introduced during the 10th Plan and renamed during the 12th
• It includes the vaccination of female calves aged between 6 – 8 months in all Indian states.
• It also includes the vaccination of all un-vaccinated adult female bovines.
• The programme also covers biannual village screening of pooled milk samples, mass screening and castration of infected bulls.
• The programme is being implemented on a 60:40 sharing basis between Centre and States except in North Eastern and the Himalayan States where the funding is on 90:10 Centre: State sharing basis, whereas 100% central share is being provided for Union Territories.

Also Read: https://abhipedia.abhimanu.com/Article/IAS/MjIyOTA3/Brucellosis-disease--Science-Affairs-IAS