Live virus detected in the Multikan-8 vaccine
Russia’s Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) detected live Aujeszky’s disease virus in samples from batch 20 of the Multikan-8 vaccine, collected in the Yaroslavl Region. The finding confirms a link between the use of this vaccine batch and numerous fatal cases among dogs immunized with the product.
The recalled batch 20 comprises 60 thousand doses. Because contamination was detected, Rosselkhoznadzor ordered the entire batch to be withdrawn and destroyed, an important step toward preventing further incidents.
What is Aujeszky’s disease, and why is it dangerous?
Aujeszky’s disease, or pseudorabies, is an acute viral disease that affects the central nervous system of both domestic and wild animals. Statistics show that it is fatal in most cases, making it extremely dangerous for dogs.
The discovery of live Aujeszky’s disease virus in the vaccine means vaccinated animals could be at risk of infection, casting doubt on the product’s safety and raising serious concerns among veterinary professionals.
Dog deaths and owners’ response
Since mid-August, dog owners in the Yaroslavl Region have been reporting their pets’ deaths after vaccination with Multikan-8 in large numbers. The cases have sparked widespread public concern and alarm among pet owners across Russia.
In response, the vaccine’s manufacturer, Vetbiokhim, recalled four batches of the product, including batch 20. The company did not acknowledge a direct connection between the vaccine and the dogs’ deaths, but offered compensation to those affected under settlement agreements.
Quality-control measures under review
The presence of live virus in the vaccine points to failures in production quality control. Vaccines must be free of pathogens that can cause disease, especially dangerous ones such as Aujeszky’s disease.
The Multikan-8 case underscores the need to tighten controls at every stage of vaccine production and testing, and to strengthen government oversight to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Implications for veterinary medicine and animal safety
The discovery of live virus in the vaccine threatens confidence in mass-vaccination products, which play a key role in preventing infectious diseases in pets. This could lead to lower vaccination rates and a greater risk of epidemics.
Veterinarians and manufacturers must now review safety standards and inform pet owners about potential risks to minimize harm and protect pets’ health across the country.
Conclusion: The live Aujeszky’s disease virus found in the Multikan-8 vaccine exposes serious shortcomings in quality control and calls for an immediate review of production and oversight procedures.