Evidence that avian influenza vaccination induces long-lived immune responses in zoo birds

VACCINATION has advanced as a control measure to protect zoo bird populations from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks (Ellis and others 2004; European Commission 2006; United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 2016). In 2005 through 2007, European zoos implemented preventive HPAI vaccination protocols of their bird populations, which elicited strong although heterogeneous responses in zoo birds in the months following vaccination (Philippa and others 2007; Bertelsen and others 2007; Furger and others 2008; Lécu and others 2009; Vergara-Alert and others 2011). Many zoo birds, including most of those birds targeted by the vaccination programmes, have lifespans in excess of 20 years. Therefore, the longevity of the vaccine-induced immune responses is critical for accurately assessing the risk of HPAI among vaccinated flocks, as well as designing effective and efficient...

Source: Veterinary Record - June 2, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Fernandez-Bellon, H., Vergara-Alert, J., Almagro, V., Rivas, R., Majo, N., Busquets, N., Ramis, A. Tags: Research Source Type: research