Two new vaccines against bird flu are effective, according to an initial trial by Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR). The injections not only work against symptoms of disease, but also against the spread of the virus. As far as we know, the vaccines only work for chickens.
The first trial of the vaccination course was conducted in a controlled environment. The next trial will therefore take place outside the lab, because the vaccines must be effective there. Outside the lab, the effectiveness of the shots may be different. In a stable there are different circumstances. The temperature fluctuates and animals in stables are vaccinated against more diseases. In addition, there are germs present that may affect the effectiveness of a vaccine.
A few poultry farms are selected to test the shots. The trial will take more than a year, because researchers want to see how long the animals are immune to the virus.
Once the results of this field trial are known, a pilot will be launched with a large number of poultry farms. It is also looking at how poultry can be vaccinated on a large scale. The pilot is expected to start at the end of this year.
The bird flu normally strikes in the winter, but last year the virus was also present in the summer. As a result, millions of birds have been culled in several European countries. Bird flu is also a problem in our country. The government therefore considers it important for public and animal health to vaccinate animals against the virus.
‘Important first step towards vaccination against bird flu’
The effective vaccines have been developed by a French and a German animal health organization. These are so-called HVT-H5 vaccines. In total, WBVR tested four vaccines against bird flu. Two of them proved ineffective.
The tested vaccines are not yet registered with the European Union. Therefore, they cannot be used yet. But WBVR does speak of “an important first step towards vaccination against the bird flu virus in poultry farming”.
The research into bird flu vaccines is being commissioned by Piet Adema, Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV). He is happy with the result. “The bird flu situation with a permanent threat from wild birds requires a more intensive approach.”
These vaccines offer prospects for kept poultry, says the minister. But that is only possible if we work together, he emphasises. “Other member states in the European Union, poultry farmers and market parties must cooperate in order for the vaccination process to succeed,” says Adema.
Kunnen mensen besmet raken?
- Mensen kunnen vogelgriep krijgen, maar die kans is zeer klein. Als iemand toch besmet raakt, zijn de symptomen meestal heel mild.
- Het is wel belangrijk om besmetting van mensen te voorkomen. Het virus kan zich namelijk aanpassen, waardoor het zich wel kan verspreiden onder mensen.
- Daarom moeten mensen beschermende pakken en handschoenen dragen bij contact met zieke en dode vogels.
