The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) authorized the importation of a live avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) vaccine into the U.S. market.
The live vaccine was developed by Vaxxinova Italy to protect against Swollen Head Syndrome, another name for aMPV. It is expected to be available in the U.S. in early 2025.
"The USDA’s decision marks an important milestone for the U.S. turkey and poultry industry who have been devasted by aMPV,” said Brian Harberts, managing director, Vaxxinova. “As a result of the collaboration with industry organizations such as National Turkey Federation, poultry producers, and the USDA, Vaxxinova US is now able to offer the same vaccine to the U.S. market that Vaxxinova Italy has been providing to customers for the past 20+ years.”
About aMPV
aMPV, also known as turkey rhinotracheitis or swollen head syndrome, can induce highly contagious respiratory disease in all species of commercial poultry, as well as wild birds. Infection also results in a drop off in egg production and quality in layers and broiler and turkey breeder hens.
While avian metapneumovirus is grouped in subtypes A to D, strains A & B are the root of a nearly all cases present in the U.S. The respiratory disease isn’t a notifiable disease for the USDA, so the total number of birds impacted is unknown, but the virus is likely present in most poultry producing states.
This is the second aMPV vaccine import approved by the USDA in the past two months. In October 2024, the agency issued a permit allowing for the importation of a killed vaccine against avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) subtype B in commercial turkey and chicken flocks from Boehringer-Ingelheim.
National Turkey Federation responds
Outside the U.S., both live and inactivated vaccines are commonly used to immunize chickens and turkeys against avian metapneumovirus. Inside the U.S., NTF has urged for the USDA to allow for the import of an avian metapneumovirus vaccine.
NTF applauded the decision in a statement: “The National Turkey Federation welcomes the USDA's approval of importation of a commercial modified live avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) vaccine, a massive advancement in protecting U.S. turkey flocks against aMPV. This development underscores our industry's commitment to ensuring the health and productivity of our nation's commercial turkey population. We encourage the USDA to continue its work to ensure additional importation and development of aMPV vaccines.”
