International partnership results in new vaccine for cattle in Africa

CBPP, an infectious lung disease of cattle, affects the livelihoods of approximately 24 million small-scale cattle farmers in Africa, causing over US$60 million in losses annually.

“It is rewarding to see the results of this partnership. We are proud of the teamwork that enabled the development of this vaccine, and of strengthening the local production capacity in Africa,” said VIDO-InterVac CEO and Director Andrew Potter.

KALRO scientists recently received a public service excellence award from the Kenya Government in recognition of their outstanding commitment to developing the vaccine.

“This is a major milestone for farmers in Africa who have suffered major cattle losses as a result of CBPP-related deaths. We are happy to be part of the team that worked tirelessly to develop the new vaccine,” said KALRO Director General Eliud Kireger.

The work was carried out with financial support from Canada’s International Development Research Centre and Global Affairs Canada through the Canadian International Food Security Research Fund.

The new vaccine has demonstrated significant potential for improved stability and for protection against CBPP in trials.

“We believe vaccination is the best way to control CBPP and to improve food security for the small-scale cattle farmers disproportionately affected by this disease. Our objective is to get this vaccine to farmers in Africa as quickly as possible,” said Jane Wachira, CEO of KEVEVAPI.

Commercial development of the vaccine in Kenya has been initiated.

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Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization-International Vaccine Centre (VIDO-InterVac)

The University of Saskatchewan’s VIDO-InterVac was created in 1975 and has developed eight vaccines against infectious disease. The 150-member organization operates under a ISO:9001 certified management system in a $200-million state-of-the-art containment facility. VIDO-InterVac receives financial support from the Government of Canada, Government of Saskatchewan, industry, foundations and producer groups. www.vido.org

Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO)

The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) was created through the KALRO Act No. 17 of 2013 bringing together agricultural research institutes and aligning their priorities to respond to national development goals, market demands and client needs. The Act empowers KALRO to promote, coordinate and regulate all agricultural research in Kenya. Its mandate is also to streamline research in crops, livestock, genetic resources and biotechnology, and to expedite equitable access to knowledge, information and technologies in Kenya. www.kalro.org

International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) works to improve food and nutritional security and reduce poverty in developing countries through research for efficient, safe and sustainable use of livestock. It is the only one of 15 CGIAR research centres dedicated entirely to animal agriculture research for the developing world. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, it has regional or country offices and projects in East, South and Southeast Asia as well as Central, East, Southern and West Africa. www.ilri.org

Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute (KEVEVAPI)

Established in 1990 under the laws of Kenya, the Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute is a government parastatal with a mission to produce safe, efficacious and affordable veterinary vaccines through undertaking research, providing information, and marketing and distributing vaccines to improve the livestock industry. It currently produces and markets 13 vaccines against major livestock diseases in Kenya. www.kevevapi.org