Bird flu vaccination works, now governments must act. This was the message from the world’s poultry veterinary associations, meeting earlier this month in Malaysia.
WATTPoultry reported that the World Veterinary Poultry Association Congress (WVPAC) heard that there are no longer any technical or economic barriers to vaccination against avian influenza (bird flu). What is lacking are policy decisions by governments.
Attendees were remined that the poultry industry “continues to use an 18th century method of disease control – stamping out – when 21st century tools are at its disposal”.
Vaccination programmes have proven to be extremely valuable in reducing and preventing transmission of bird flu within and between flocks yet, it was pointed out, vaccination is underused in many countries.
According to Dr. David Swayne, an avian influenza researcher, there was now clear scientific evidence that vaccination is an effective and necessary part of bird flu management. He pointed to campaigns in France and in six Latin American countries where vaccination had demonstrated clear success in outbreak reduction.
Professor Dr. Sjaak de Wit, World Veterinary Poultry Association President, noted that vaccination was a critical component of sustainable bird flu control. The challenge, however was to ensure that the message reached veterinary regulators and policymakers worldwide.
Professor Abdul Omar, who chaired the congress, commented that the message was clear: the science is settled that vaccination works – and governments must act.
“Producers are ready, veterinarians are ready, and technology is ready”, he said.
“It is time for regulatory systems to catch up with science. There are no technical or economic barriers that cannot be overcome. What remains are policy decisions”.
Editorial comment:
FairPlay hopes that South African veterinarians attended the congress and that the messages are conveyed to Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen and his top officials.
The “mass vaccination programme” that Minister Steenhuisen promised has been blocked by officials who refuse to alter vaccination requirements that poultry producers say are too onerous and too costly to implement.
Negotiations to get a more practical and affordable set rules have failed, and the programme has stalled. As a result, the South African poultry industry remains vulnerable to a repeat of the disastrous 2023 bird flu outbreak.
It is time for the South African government to act, urgently, to ensure the survival of a strategic national industry.
