February 1, 2006

US scientists develop more effective bird flu vaccine for poultry

University of Pittsburgh scientists said on Jan 31 that they have developed a bird flu vaccine that is more effective in protecting chickens from infection.

According to the scientists, the vaccine can be made quickly and induced a strong immune response in the chickens. This makes it useful for prevention of the spread of the virus.

The vaccine contains a live virus and activates immune responses more effectively than other traditional vaccines.

The scientists said because the vaccine is so successful in immunizing chickens against bird flu, widespread inoculation of susceptible poultry populations could provide a barrier to the spread of the virus.

Andrea Gambotto, an assistant professor in the departments of surgery and molecular genetics and biochemistry at the university, said the trial results are very promising because they found out that the vaccine stimulates several lines of immunity against the virus. 

Gambotto said that their adenovirus-based vaccine should be a complement to the traditional bird flu vaccines rather than being a direct replacement for them.