U.S. begins testing bird flu vaccines for poultry after record outbreak
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[April 15, 2023]
By Tom Polansek
CHICAGO (Reuters) -The U.S. government is testing four potential bird
flu vaccines for poultry, officials said on Friday, after more than 58
million chickens, turkeys and other birds have died in the nation's
worst outbreak ever.
The trials, conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA)
Agricultural Research Service, are the first step in a lengthy process
toward the possible first use of vaccines to protect U.S. poultry from
the lethal virus.
Bird flu, also known as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), has
killed hundreds of millions of birds around the world, raising interest
in vaccines. The virus is largely spread by wild birds that transmit it
to poultry.
The USDA is testing one vaccine from Zoetis Inc, one from Merck Animal
Health, and two developed by the department's Agricultural Research
Service.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2023/Apr/15/images/ads/current/hartsburggrain_sda_SFARM_2023.png)
Zoetis said it previously supplied its vaccine to a USDA stockpile in
2016, following a massive 2015 outbreak, but it was never used.
Initial data from a study using a single dose of a vaccine are expected
in May, while results from studies on two-dose vaccine regimens are
expected in June, the USDA said.
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![](../images/041523PIX/health79.jpg)
Cage-free chickens are shown inside a
facility at Hilliker's Ranch Fresh Eggs in Lakeside, California,
U.S., April 19, 2022. REUTERS/Mike Blake
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2023/Apr/15/images/ads/current/fcs_funeral_lda_border_04029022.png) If the trials are successful and
USDA decides to continue development, it would take at least
18-to-24 months for a vaccine that matches the current virus to be
commercially available, the agency said.
The government needs to ensure vaccinations would not disrupt
trading with major buyers, said Greg Tyler, president of the
industry group USA Poultry & Egg Export Council.
Governments have previously focused on culling infected flocks to
control the virus due to concerns importers would block shipments of
vaccinated poultry to avoid the risk of infections.
The USDA said on Friday its "current strategy of stamping out and
eradicating HPAI... continues to be the most effective strategy
because it works."
France said last week it was launching an order for 80 million doses
of vaccines to use in ducks in the autumn if final trial results are
positive, the first EU member to start such a plan.
(Reporting by Tom PolansekEditing by Bill Berkrot)
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