January 4, 2011

Uganda's Brentec Vaccines International to create poultry vaccine

Uganda's government has partnered with local firm Brentec Vaccines International to begin manufacturing the New Castle vaccine.

Brian Bigirwa, Brentec's quality assurance manager, said the vaccine, dubbed Kuku Vac, does not require refrigeration during transportation and can be stored at room temperature for about two to three weeks without losing potency.

The available Newcastle vaccines are susceptible to heat and expire quickly. "The high costs of refrigeration and poor infrastructure limit upcountry commercial poultry farmers from accessing the vaccine. Such farmers can benefit from Kuku vac, which does not require refrigeration," Bigirwa said.

He explained that the Newcastle disease is common in eastern Uganda, accounting for 70% of deaths among chicken.

According to Bigirwa, funding from the government, through the Uganda Industrial Research Institute, would enable Brentec to manufacture doses for 3,500 birds.

The firm, he added, was awaiting approval from the National Drug Authority.

He said the company would take advantage of the campaign period to have leaders publicise the vaccine to poultry keepers' countrywide.