February 7, 2022

French Minister of Agriculture pushes for bird flu vaccines

Julien Denormandie, France's Minister of Agriculture, has pushed for bird flu vaccines to be approved for all 27 EU countries as one of his objectives during France's EU presidency, following the worst bird flu season in the UK, Germany, Belgirum, the Netherlands, and Italy, the Irish Examiner reported.

Denormandie said there is no better solution other than vaccination, adding that France has invested in biosecurity measures and that vaccination will help to fight the virus.

Vaccination of poultry against avian influenza is generally prohibited by the European Commission and most EU governments as vaccinated birds can still transmit the virus. The virus is also able to mutate rapidly, making a vaccine less useful. Vaccines would also be required to be injected into birds individually, and it takes up to three weeks to deliver immunity.

Vaccine efficacy has not been proven for ducks, geese and game birds, and it is difficult to differentiate infected from vaccinated poultry. Many countries do not import products from vaccinated poultry

These countries prefer to report early of bird flu outbreaks, with rapid action including the implementation of stricter biosecurity measures, culling, and surveillance.

Bird flu remains an issue in Europe in the past 15 years, with its peak risk occurring between December to February caused by migrating wild birds.

This season, Italy has reported 307 cases, followed by France with 171, Hungary with 112, and Poland with 77 cases. England has detected more than 70 outbreaks, while Wales and Scotland have reported 10. Northern Ireland has five cases.

In July 2021, The Pirbright Institute researchers in England announced a new affordable vaccine that generates a faster and stronger immune response in poultry, while also reducing the amount of virus shed into the environment.

-      Irish Examiner