DIVA & SIVA Vaccines in Indian Livestock: A New Era in Disease Control and Surveillance
India’s livestock sector, home to over 500 million animals, is a cornerstone of rural livelihoods, food security, and national GDP. Yet, it faces persistent threats from transboundary and endemic diseases—Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), PPR, Brucellosis, and more—that compromise productivity, trade, and animal welfare.
In this context, DIVA (Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals) and SIVA (Surveillance-Identifiable Vaccines) technologies represent a transformative leap in veterinary vaccinology. These marker vaccines not only protect animals but also enable precision surveillance, trade compliance, and epidemiological clarity—critical for India’s ambitions in disease eradication and global livestock leadership.
What Are DIVA and SIVA Vaccines?
| Feature | DIVA Vaccine | SIVA Vaccine |
| Full Form | Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals | Surveillance-Identifiable Vaccine |
| Purpose | Enables serological distinction between infected and vaccinated animals | Facilitates tracking and monitoring of vaccinated animals |
| Mechanism | Uses marker antigens or gene deletions | Incorporates traceable markers or tags |
| Benefit | Supports disease eradication, trade certification | Enhances vaccine coverage monitoring, outbreak response |
India’s Breakthrough: DIVA Vaccine for Lumpy Skin Disease
In 2025, India launched its first indigenous DIVA vaccine—Biolumpivaxin—for Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in cattle and buffaloes. Developed by Biovet (Bharat Biotech group) in collaboration with ICAR-NRCE, this live-attenuated marker vaccine uses the LSD virus/Ranchi/2019 strain and has been approved by CDSCO, marking a milestone in India’s veterinary self-reliance.
Key Features:
- ✅ Differentiates vaccinated animals from naturally infected ones
- ✅ Enables clean certification for trade and movement
- ✅ Freeze-dried formulation for long shelf life
- ✅ Annual dose for cattle and buffaloes over 3 months of age
- ✅ Manufactured at scale (500 million doses/year)
This vaccine is a game-changer for LSD control, which has caused over 200,000 cattle deaths and massive milk production losses since its emergence in India.
Strategic Importance of DIVA/SIVA in India
🛡️ Disease Eradication
- Supports national programs for FMD, Brucellosis, and PPR eradication
- Enables serosurveillance and vaccination audits
- Reduces false positives in diagnostic tests
🌐 Trade Compliance
- Aligns with WOAH (OIE) standards for disease-free certification
- Facilitates export of livestock and animal products
- Builds trust in India’s veterinary regulatory systems
📊 Surveillance & MIS Integration
- SIVA vaccines can be linked to digital livestock IDs, QR-coded vials, and geo-tagged administration
- Enhances real-time monitoring of vaccine coverage and cold chain integrity
- Supports MIS frameworks for outbreak prediction and response
Future Prospects & Policy Recommendations
🔬 Research & Development
- Expand DIVA/SIVA platforms for Brucellosis, PPR, Sheep & Goat Pox, and Avian Influenza
- Encourage genetic engineering and reverse vaccinology approaches
- Establish national marker vaccine repositories
🏛️ Governance & Compliance
- Integrate DIVA/SIVA into Livestock Health & Disease Control (LHDC) schemes
- Mandate traceability protocols for vaccine administration
- Develop bilingual SOPs and training modules for field veterinarians
🤝 Collaboration & Outreach
- Partner with NGOs, CSR platforms, and cooperatives for last-mile delivery
- Launch awareness campaigns on marker vaccine benefits
- Recognize innovators and institutions driving DIVA/SIVA adoption
Precision Vaccinology for Viksit Bharat
DIVA and SIVA vaccines are not just scientific innovations—they are strategic tools for biosecurity, economic resilience, and global veterinary leadership. As India builds robust institutions like VAI and ARDF, these technologies will be pivotal in shaping a disease-free, export-ready, and digitally empowered livestock sector.
The future of Indian animal health lies in precision, traceability, and trust—and DIVA/SIVA vaccines are leading the way.
DIVA & SIVA Vaccines in Indian Livestock: A New Era in Disease Control and Surveillance
