America Begins Testing Avian Influenza Vaccines

The U.S. government has tested several potential vaccines for avian influenza to immunize poultry after the death of over 58 million chickens, turkeys, and other birds. The U.S. Department of Agriculture stated, "Preliminary data from a U.S. study on a single-dose vaccine is expected to be available in May, while results from two-dose vaccine studies are anticipated in June." It added, "If the trials are successful, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture decides to continue development, it will take at least 18 to 24 months for a vaccine suitable for the current virus to be available on the market." Avian influenza has killed hundreds of millions of birds worldwide, which has increased interest in vaccines. The virus is largely spread by wild birds that transmit it to domestic birds. Governments have previously focused on culling infected flocks to control the virus due to concerns, including the possibility that vaccines could harm exports to countries that have banned immunized poultry due to fears of infected birds leaking into the population.