On Sunday, December 19, a vaccination to treat goat pox disease among India’s large goat population, which is vital to rural livestock farmers, was unveiled. Raksha Goat Pox, a live attenuated vaccine I.P. (Uttarkashi strain) developed on Vero cell culture from leading Indian Immunologicals Ltd. (IIL).
The first vaccination should be given at 3 months of age, followed by a re-vaccination once a year. The vaccine’s technology and testing were received from the Indian Council of Agriculture Research-Indian Veterinary Research Institute (ICAR-IVRI), which also tested and validated the vaccine for commercial release. Under a tech transfer agreement with the IVRI, the IIL has already launched numerous other vaccines, such as the classical swine fever vaccine, the PPR vaccine, and others.
Goat pox disease is highly contagious and spreads by air, touch, and vectors such as flies. The disease affects goats of all ages, breeds, and sexes, although it is most severe in young, elderly, and breastfeeding animals, and it often results in death. As per the research, the incidence rate varies by agro-climatic zone and can reach up to 48 percent in some areas.
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