The South African government’s refusal to compensate poultry farmers for healthy birds culled during bird flu outbreaks has had one beneficial outcome for the industry – it has spurred South African veterinarians to conduct more urgent research into bird flu vaccines than in the many countries where compensation is paid.
Vaccines are increasingly being seen worldwide as the way to end the mass cullings that have been enforced to prevent the spread of the virus. Millions of healthy birds have been culled annually on farms where outbreaks have occurred, and on neighbouring farms.
The result has been global research into a viable bird flu vaccine.
The latest issue of the Poultry Bulletin, official journal of the SA Poultry Association, notes that the lack of compensation gave South African researchers the incentive of urgency. They have already formulated protocols currently being tested in Europe.
“The fact that European producers have always been compensated for culling losses left little motivation to seek alternative solutions. South Africa’s different reality inspired innovative thinking,” the Bulletin said.
This resulted in the development of a protocol that involves day-old chicks being given a split-virus-particle vaccination, followed by one or more oil boosters later on.
“Trials have shown that this strategy induces good long-term immunity, and that sub-clinical transmission is not the issue it has long been believed to be. Birds that do get infected may shed the virus,” it says.
However South Africa lags in vaccine approvals. France and the Netherlands are likely to give vaccination the go ahead in the near future, with the European Parliament expected to follow suit.
Says poultry veterinarian Dr Scott Elliott: “Once this happens, South Africa’s industry will be in a position to make a case to our government based on the European results and processes.”
Despite ongoing research, increasing international support and some obvious benefits, bird flu vaccination remains controversial. The article lists the arguments for and against vaccination.
