Finally! India's first covid vaccine for animals is here

The minister also launches the Equine DNA Parentage Testing Kit, a cutting-edge genomic technology for horse parentage analysis

Digital Desk: India's first homegrown Covid-19 vaccination for livestock has been launched by Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar. Anocovax is an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Delta vaccine for animals developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Research Centre on Equines in Haryana.

As per the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, anocovax-induced immunity neutralizes both the Delta and Omicron strains of the coronavirus. SARS-CoV-2 (Delta) antigen is inactivated in the vaccination. It is safe for dogs, leopards, lions, mice, and rabbits and uses Alhydrogel as an adjuvant.

"The country's self-reliance in generating its own vaccines rather than importing is thanks to the unwavering contributions of scientists. This is a huge accomplishment," Tomar stated after the virtual launch of the animal vaccine and testing kits.

Reportedly, preliminary research was unable to accurately predict if animals, particularly pets, would contract Covid-19. According to studies, pets can get the virus from their owners through intimate contact. However, there is no proof that humans can get Covid-19 through their pets.  

Tomar also released the May-CoV-2 ELISA kit, which can be used to identify the antibodies against the virus in animals. The CAN-CoV-2 is a nucleocapsid protein-based indirect ELISA kit that is sensitive and selective.

"Antigen production does not necessitate the use of laboratory animals.  The kit is made in India, and a patent application has been filed. There are no other comparable kits for detecting antibodies in canines on the market," the Indian Council of Agricultural Research stated.

Moreover, the minister also launched the Surra ELISA kit, a diagnostic assay for Trypanosoma evansi infection in animal species.

Trypanosoma evansi causes Surra, one of the animals' most common haemoprotozoan diseases. The disease is found in every agro-climatic region of India. The council estimated that due to the disease y early livestock production loss in India is projected to be Rs 44,740 million.

The minister also launches the Equine DNA Parentage Testing Kit, a cutting-edge genomic technology for horse parentage analysis.