HPAI vaccine trials begin in the UK
Turkeys have been selected dur to their high susceptibility to HPAI.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has today (5 March) launched a targeted vaccine trial on turkeys in England.
The new trials will explore how these vaccines could be used as an additional tool to control highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
Researchers will study whether these vaccines can be used to protect birds, with a specific focus on turkeys in England. The trial is expected to provide insight into how these vaccines work in the field and manage the disease, contributing to a growing international body of HPAI vaccination research.
The project will also examine the use of surveillance to retain the trade of turkeys.
Researchers have selected turkeys as the priority species for this study due to their high susceptibility to avian influenza. Outbreaks among turkeys will result in severe clinical signs, including rapid mortality rates.
With approval from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), the trial will sample a small group of birds under strict supervision using UK/EU authorised vaccines. The trial will last for 24 weeks.
Defra reports an ‘unprecedented’ amount of avian influenza outbreaks in both the UK and in Europe over the past few years. The diseases has impacted both captive and wild birds globally since 2020, which Defra says has caused ‘devastation’ to birdkeepers on the frontline and in the poultry sector.
Christine Middlemiss, chief veterinary officer, said: “This targeted trial is going to be really key for our understanding of how HPAI vaccines can be effectively used for disease control in the UK. They have the potential to be a really valuable additional tool in helping us protect birds from infection.
“Stringent biosecurity will always remain our best defence and [we] urge all bird keepers to continue to take the steps needed to prevent avian influenza spreading onto their premises.”
Baroness Hayman, biosecurity minister, said: “The start of new vaccine trials are a significant step forward in our fight against this disease and will contribute to global research efforts. We are hopeful vaccines can be used in the UK as an additional tool to control bird flu to protect the UK's biosecurity and food supply.”
Image © Shutterstock.com/Sergey kolesnikov
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