Indian Immunologicals Launches Raksha-IBR, India's First DIVA Vaccine Against IBR
Hyderabad: In a major breakthrough for the livestock sector, Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL) has rolled out India's first gE-deleted DIVA marker vaccine to combat Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR), a highly contagious cattle disease that severely impacts dairy productivity.
The vaccine, named Raksha-IBR, was launched in collaboration with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) at a ceremony in Anand, Gujarat, marking NDDB’s diamond jubilee.
IBR, caused by the Bovine Herpes Virus-1 (BHV-1), spreads rapidly through aerosols and bull semen, leading to infertility, abortions, and reduced milk yield in affected cattle. With prevalence reported at over 32% in India, the disease has become a significant concern for dairy farmers, according to The Hindu. Experts estimate that IBR contributes to economic losses of nearly ₹18,000 crore annually due to reduced productivity.
Unlike conventional vaccines, this innovative DIVA (Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals) vaccine allows veterinarians to distinguish between infected and vaccinated cattle. This feature is critical for effective disease surveillance and eradication programmes, making the vaccine a game changer for India’s dairy industry.
Speaking at the launch, Dr. K. Anand Kumar, Managing Director of IIL, underlined the importance of disease control for India’s dairy growth. He emphasized that while the country is the world’s largest milk producer, sustaining progress requires protecting animals from reproductive diseases such as IBR. “All the effort to develop genetically superior bulls will be defeated if animals are infected by IBR,” he noted.
The launch of Raksha-IBR™ is expected to benefit millions of dairy farmers across the country. With no specific treatment available for IBR, vaccination remains the most effective strategy to safeguard livestock health. The DIVA approach will also provide regulators with the ability to closely monitor and manage the spread of the disease, according to The Hindu.
