Scientists from the National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal, have succeeded in developing a vaccine to protect birds from the bird flu virus. It is the first indigenously developed vaccine for bird flu. Up till now, the vaccine was being imported to stop the virus′ spread.

The vaccine was launched on Monday by Dr. Bhupendra Nath Tripathi, Deputy Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research. NIHSAD Bhopal Director Dr. VP Singh, along with other scientists, was also present on the occasion. NIHSAD is a premier institute in India for research on exotic and emerging pathogens of animals.

Avian influenza subtype H9N2 affects the ability of millions of chickens and birds to lay eggs every year. There are two types of viruses: one is a low-pathogenic virus, and the second one is a high-pathogenic virus. The vaccine will protect the chickens from the low pathogenic virus. According to an animal scientist, Dr. Tripathi, the life of a chicken raised on a poultry farm is six months, and the vaccine will be administered within that period.