Avian influenza vaccines found effective in layer study

Two Herpes Virus of Turkey (HVT)-H5 vaccines were found to be effective against highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in layer hens under laboratory conditions during a research study at Netherlands-based Wageningen University & Research (WUR).

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Courtesy Big Dutchman
Courtesy Big Dutchman

Two Herpes Virus of Turkey (HVT)-H5 vaccines were found to be effective against highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in layer hens under laboratory conditions during a research study at Netherlands-based Wageningen University & Research (WUR).

The researchers noted that both vaccines were 100% in preventing disease, mortality after infection and the spread of the virus between birds with the HPAI H5N1 virus. They went on to note that this was in contrast to two additional vaccines that were tested, where disease was observed.

"The so-called HVT-H5 vaccines offer protection against disease symptoms in laying hens and prevent the spread of the virus," said Nancy Beerens, head of the National Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease at Wageningen Bioveterinary Research (WBVR).

According to Beerens, the results of study do not mean the vaccines are effective on poultry farms. However, the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality plans to conduct a field study in Summer 2023.

"It is important to investigate whether the vaccines work well under field conditions in poultry farms, how long the vaccines protect, and whether one vaccination is sufficient,” Beerens added.

"There are still some hurdles to overcome, but the results of our research are an important first step towards vaccination against the bird flu virus in poultry.”

More about the study

The study tested the efficacy of four commercial vaccines from veterinary medicine companies on layer hens:

The study was designed to determine if the virus would spread from infected chickens to uninfected chickens. Each vaccine was administered to 10 layer hens, five infected with HPAI and five uninfected. The HVT-H5 vaccines were found to be 100% effective.

The study did not evaluate whether or not the vaccines are effective in preventing disease after infection with HPAI. While the two effective vaccines are on the market in multiple countries, they are not yet registered in the Netherlands or in the European Union. 

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