New Jersey pharmaceutical companies have been given a “conditional license” for the avian flu vaccine for use with chicken.
The vaccine developed by Zoetis targets the H5N2 subtype of avian influenza found in both poultry and humans, according to a press release from the company.
The license was granted by the USDA (USDA) of the Center for Veterinary Biology (CVB).
Avian flu patients suffer from viral mutations, raising concerns about human spread
More than 150 million US birds have been affected by highly pathogenic avian influenza since February 2022, according to the USDA Animal and Plant Health Testing Service (APHIS).
New Jersey pharmaceutical companies have been given a “conditional license” for the avian flu vaccine for use with chicken. (istock)
“When a new strain of HPAI was identified in the US in early 2022, our scientists immediately began work to update their previous avian flu vaccine,” said Zoetis’ Global Biology Research and Development Officer. said Senior Vice President Dr Mahesh Kumar. , with release.
The company was the first to work on the development of avian influenza vaccines in 2001 and 2002 amid outbreaks among herds in Southeast Asia, Kumar said.
Avian flu leads to severe human illness and emergencies
Zoetis received a conditional license for the H5N1 vaccine in 2016. It was used to protect California condors.
When contacted by Fox News Digital, a Zoetis spokesperson said the vaccine was not on sale at this time.
More than 150 million US birds have been affected by highly pathogenic avian influenza since February 2022. (Illustrated by Reuters/Dad Luvik)
“The decision to vaccinate commercial poultry herds depends solely on the national regulators to consult with the local poultry sector,” the spokesman said.
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Jacob Glanville, CEO and president of Biotechnology Company Centivax in San Francisco, said Zoetis’ avian flu vaccine is intended for veterinary use in bird flocks.
“This is very good news, as vaccination of animal populations is the best way to control the global outbreak of H5N1 and protect the economic interests of farmers,” he told Fox News Digital. Ta.
“So far, our methods have been cul-humiliating or killing all the animals on the farm. This is clearly not working well, and has seriously destroyed farmer businesses and food supplies. “They say they’re doing it,” says an infectious disease expert. (istock)
“So far, our methods have been culling and killing all the animals on farms. This is clearly not working well, and it has seriously destroyed farmer businesses and food supplies. “I’m doing that,” he continued.
“Now we need the same for cows and cats.”
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One limitation is that this H5N2 vaccine from Zoetis is “heavy and inconsistent” with the circulation strain, Granville warned.
“Now we need the same for cows and cats.”
“This could lead to immune outbreak and survival, but could result in perpetuation of transmission.”
In the United States, there were a total of 68 cases of human avian influenza, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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Fox News Digital reached the USDA for comment.
