Market Overview
African horse sickness (AHS) is a highly infectious and deadly viral disease that affects equids, including horses, donkeys, and zebras. The disease is caused by the African horse sickness virus (AHSV), which is transmitted by biting midges of the genus Culicoides. AHS is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa but outbreaks have also occurred in other regions such as the Middle East, Asia and Europe. The disease has a high mortality rate, ranging from 70% to 95% in horses.
The African horse sickness vaccines market is driven by factors such as the increasing prevalence of the disease, growing demand for effective vaccines, and government initiatives to control and eradicate the disease. However, the market growth is hindered by factors such as the high cost of vaccines, limited availability of vaccines in certain regions, and lack of awareness about the disease among horse owners.
The global African horse sickness vaccines market is segmented based on vaccine type, application, end usear, and geography. By vaccine type, the market is classified into live attenuated vaccines, inactivated vaccines, and recombinant vaccines. The live attenuated vaccines segment holds the largest market share due to their high efficacy and long-lasting immunity. Based on application, the market is divided into horses, donkeys, and zebras. The horses segment dominates the market as they are the most susceptible to the disease and are of high economic value.
Geographically, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. Africa is the largest market for African horse sickness vaccines due to the high prevalence of the disease in the region. However, other regions such as Europe and Asia Pacific are also witnessing significant growth due to the increasing trade of horses and the risk of disease outbreaks.
Key Takeaways of the market
- The global African horse sickness vaccines market is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period (2021-2028).
- Live attenuated vaccines dominate the market due to their high efficacy and long-lasting immunity.
- Horses are the most susceptible to the disease and hold the largest market share based on application.
- Africa is the largest market for African horse sickness vaccines due to the high prevalence of the disease in the region.
- The market growth is driven by factors such as increasing prevalence of the disease, growing demand for effective vaccines, and government initiatives to control and eradicate the disease.
- High cost of vaccines, limited availability in certain regions, and lack of awareness among horse owners are the major restraints for the market growth.
- Recombinant vaccines are expected to witness significant growth due to their safety and efficacy profile.
- Collaborations and partnerships among key players are expected to boost the market growth.
Market Driver
The increasing prevalence of African horse sickness is one of the major drivers for the growth of the African horse sickness vaccines market. The disease is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa and has a high mortality rate in horses. Outbreaks of the disease have also been reported in other regions such as the Middle East, Asia, and Europe, which has increased the demand for effective vaccines. In addition, the growing population of horses and the increasing trade of horses across borders have also contributed to the spread of the disease, thereby driving the demand for vaccines.
Another factor driving the market growth is the increasing government initiatives to control and eradicate the disease. Many countries have implemented vaccination programs to prevent the spread of the disease and protect their equine population. For instance, the South African government has implemented a compulsory vaccination program for all horses in the country to control the spread of the disease. Similarly, the European Union has also implemented strict import regulations for horses from AHS-endemic countries to prevent the introduction of the disease into the region.
Market Restraint
One of the major restraints for the growth of the African horse sickness vaccines market is the high cost of vaccines. The development and production of vaccines require significant investment in research and development, which increases the cost of the final product. In addition, the limited availability of vaccines in certain regions, particularly in developing countries, also hinders the market growth. Many horse owners in these regions may not have access to vaccines or may not be able to afford them, which limits the uptake of vaccines.
Another factor restraining the market growth is the lack of awareness about the disease among horse owners. Many horse owners may not be aware of the severity of the disease or the importance of vaccination, which leads to low adoption of vaccines. In addition, some horse owners may have concerns about the safety and efficacy of vaccines, which further limits their uptake.
Market Opportunity
The development of recombinant vaccines presents a significant opportunity for the growth of the African horse sickness vaccines market. Recombinant vaccines are produced using genetic engineering techniques and offer several advantages over traditional vaccines, such as improved safety and efficacy. These vaccines are also easier to produce and store, which can reduce the cost of production and increase their availability in remote regions.
Another opportunity for the market growth is the increasing demand for vaccines in emerging economies. Countries such as China, India, and Brazil have a growing population of horses and are increasingly participating in international equestrian events. This has increased the demand for effective vaccines to protect their equine population from diseases such as African horse sickness. In addition, the increasing government support for the development of animal health products in these countries is also expected to boost the market growth.
Market Segment Analysis
- Live Attenuated Vaccines Live attenuated vaccines are one of the most widely used vaccines for the prevention of African horse sickness. These vaccines contain live, weakened strains of the virus that stimulate an immune response in the horse without causing the disease. Live attenuated vaccines are highly effective and provide long-lasting immunity against the disease. However, these vaccines also have some disadvantages, such as the risk of reversion to virulence and the potential for vaccine-induced disease in immunocompromised horses.
- Recombinant Vaccines Recombinant vaccines are a newer type of vaccine that are produced using genetic engineering techniques. These vaccines contain specific viral proteins that stimulate an immune response in the horse without the need for live virus. Recombinant vaccines are safer than live attenuated vaccines and do not have the risk of reversion to virulence. In addition, these vaccines can be easily produced and stored, which can reduce the cost of production and increase their availability in remote regions. However, recombinant vaccines may not provide as long-lasting immunity as live attenuated vaccines and may require multiple doses for optimal protection.
Regional Analysis
The African horse sickness vaccines market is segmented into five regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. Africa is the largest market for African horse sickness vaccines due to the high prevalence of the disease in the region. The disease is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa and has a significant impact on the equine industry in the region. In addition, the increasing government initiatives to control and eradicate the disease, such as mandatory vaccination programs, are also driving the market growth in the region.
Europe is another significant market for African horse sickness vaccines due to the presence of a large equine population and the increasing risk of disease outbreaks. The European Union has implemented strict import regulations for horses from AHS-endemic countries to prevent the introduction of the disease into the region. In addition, the increasing participation of European countries in international equestrian events is also driving the demand for effective vaccines.
The Asia Pacific region is expected to witness significant growth in the African horse sickness vaccines market due to the increasing population of horses and the growing participation in international equestrian events. Countries such as China, India, and Australia have a significant equine population and are major players in the global equestrian industry. The increasing government support for the development of animal health products in these countries is also expected to boost the market growth.
Competitive Analysis
The African horse sickness vaccines market is highly competitive, with the presence of several global and regional players. Some of the key players in the market include Zoetis, Inc., Merck Animal Health, Boehringer Ingelheim, Biovac, and Onderstepoort Biological Products.
These companies are focusing on expanding their product portfolio through research and development activities and collaborations with other players. For instance, in 2021, Zoetis, Inc. announced a collaboration with the Pirbright Institute to develop a new vaccine for African horse sickness. Similarly, in 2020, Merck Animal Health announced a collaboration with the University of Pretoria to develop a new recombinant vaccine for the disease.
The companies are also focusing on expanding their presence in emerging markets such as Asia Pacific and Latin America, where the demand for animal health products is growing. For instance, in 2020, Boehringer Ingelheim announced the expansion of its animal health business in China, which is expected to boost its presence in the Asian market.
Key Industry Developments
- In 2021, Zoetis, Inc. announced a collaboration with the Pirbright Institute to develop a new vaccine for African horse sickness.
- In 2020, Merck Animal Health announced a collaboration with the University of Pretoria to develop a new recombinant vaccine for African horse sickness.
- In 2020, Boehringer Ingelheim announced the expansion of its animal health business in China.
- In 2019, the European Union implemented new import regulations for horses from AHS-endemic countries to prevent the introduction of the disease into the region.
- In 2018, the South African government announced a new vaccination strategy for African horse sickness, which includes the use of both live attenuated and inactivated vaccines.
Future Outlook
The African horse sickness vaccines market is expected to witness significant growth in the coming years due to the increasing prevalence of the disease and the growing demand for effective vaccines. The development of new and innovative vaccines, such as recombinant vaccines, is expected to drive the market growth. In addition, the increasing government support for the development of animal health products and the growing awareness about the importance of vaccination are also expected to boost the market growth.
However, the high cost of vaccines and the limited availability in certain regions may hinder the market growth. The lack of awareness about the disease among horse owners may also limit the uptake of vaccines. Therefore, the companies operating in the market need to focus on developing cost-effective vaccines and increasing their availability in remote regions. In addition, the companies also need to focus on increasing awareness about the disease and the importance of vaccination among horse owners to drive the market growth.
Market Segmentation
The African horse sickness vaccines market can be segmented based on various factors, such as:
- Vaccine Type:
- Live Attenuated Vaccines
- Inactivated Vaccines
- Recombinant Vaccines
- Application:
- Horses
- Donkeys
- Zebras
- End User:
- Veterinary Hospitals
- Veterinary Clinics
- Animal Health Centers
- Geography:
- North America
- Europe
- Asia Pacific
- Latin America
- Middle East & Africa
