September 23, 2005

Vietnam recognises new poultry vaccine against bird flu

Vietnam's government has recognised the positive results of Trovac, a poultry vaccine against bird flu that was put on a trial programme in April 2004. Trovac was reportedly tested by Ho Chi Minh City's Veterinary Department on 35,000 poultry.

Trovac was developed by Merial, a joint venture company between France and the US.

Tests of the samples, which were sent to an Australian laboratory after the trial vaccination programme last year, have yielded good results.

The government has also authorised Ho Chi Minh City to use 600,000 more doses of Trovac on its poultry flocks, on a trial basis.

Trovac could be applied to chickens on the day after they hatched, compared with eight days required for other vaccines.