Contenido disponible en: Português (Portuguese (Brazil))
The US government is testing several possible avian flu vaccines for poultry, officials said on Friday, after more than 58 million chickens, turkeys, and other poultry died in the worst outbreak in the country’s history.
The tests, conducted by the Agricultural Research Service of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), are the first step in a long process toward the possible use of vaccines to protect birds from the deadly virus. However, there is no guarantee that the government will finally approve its use.
Avian influenza, also known as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), has killed hundreds of millions of birds worldwide, raising interest in vaccines. The virus is widely spread by wild birds, which transmit it to domestic birds.
The USDA said that initial data from a US study of a single-dose vaccine is expected in May, while results from studies of two-dose vaccine regimens are expected in June.
If the trials are successful and the USDA decides to continue development, it will take at least 18 to 24 months for a vaccine that matches the current virus to be commercially available, the USDA added.
Previously, governments focused on culling infected flocks to control the virus due
Keep up to date with our newsletters
Receive the magazine for free in digital version
REGISTRATION
ACCESS
YOUR ACCOUNT
LOGIN
Lost your password?