Emergency Vaccine for California Condors: Protecting Against Deadliest Bird Flu in U.S. History

An experimental emergency vaccine is being given to California condors in an attempt to protect them from the deadliest strain of bird flu in U.S. history. The formula was originally developed for poultry and is being investigated if its implementation in other species is safe.

The California condor is the only wild species approved for the application of the vaccine in this first phase of the trial. Captive-bred specimens from the Los Angeles, San Diego and Oregon zoos have already been inoculated.

Authorities implemented the measure after 21 wild condors died in Arizona, a third of the wild population in the area. Currently it is estimated that there are less than 350 specimens of this species in the wild.

The presence of influenza has been confirmed in poultry in South Dakota and Utah. Preliminary results show that, after receiving the vaccine, 60% of the condors presented the antibodies necessary to protect them from contagion.

Experts will evaluate the development of the inoculated birds before deciding whether it is necessary to begin capturing condors in the wild to administer the vaccine.

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2023-10-17 02:19:22
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