In June 2022, India’s Agriculture Ministry launched the country’s first Covid-19 vaccination for livestock. The vaccine, dubbed Ancovax, was developed by the National Research Centre on Equines in Hisar and can protect animals against the Delta and Omicron versions of SARS-CoV-2. This is the first Covid-19 vaccine for animals developed in India.
There have been reports of Covid-19 infection in several animals, including dogs and cats. “The vaccine can protect animals in the zoo. It can also prevent transmission from companion animals to the humans,” said Dr Jyoti Misri, senior scientist, Indian Council of Agricultural Research.
The vaccine’s goal is to safeguard endangered species like lions and tigers. Last year, India reported at least nine Covid infections in Asiatic lions at the Chennai Zoo, with one lioness possibly dying as a result. This resulted in the tourism-related closure of tiger reserves. A study conducted by the Indian Veterinary Research Institute discovered at least three natural Covid infections in wild Asiatic lions, as well as a deceased leopard cub that tested positive for Covid-19.
Symptoms- The animals develop similar symptoms to humans – cough, cold, fever, and lung lesions.
(Source Indian Express)
