Zoetis's first specific vaccine against the QX strain of the infectious bronchitis (IB) virus - Poulvac^® IBQX- will now be more accessible for the United Kingdom's and Ireland's poultry industry.

For the past two years the vaccine has only been available with a special import certificate from the Veterinary Medicines Directorate for use on live poultry where the QX virus has been isolated.

In the past decade, this variant IB strain has been an increasing problem in Europe. QX was first seen in South East England in 2007. Since then QX, which results in reduced performance and increased mortality, has been isolated from some commercial layer and broiler flocks.

The vaccine is based on a live attenuated virus and is administered as a coarse spray to broilers from day-old and to layer pullets or broiler breeders from seven days of age. Protection has been shown by challenge study to remain for 63 days after vaccination. Apart from being used on the farm, the vaccine can be administered to chicks at the hatchery if sufficient controls are in place to isolate other chicks that will be moved to QX-free flocks.

"In countering the QX virus strain some existing vaccines have been used to provide a degree of cross-protection," said Dr. Stuart Andrews, Poultry Veterinary Manager for Zoetis. "However, it is important to appreciate that Poulvac IB QX is a vaccine homologous to any IB QX field strain and so will provide even better protection. Furthermore, our in-house PCR and DNA sequencing service allows us to monitor carefully the field situation to ascertain which IB strains are currently causing field outbreaks and enable us to recommend adaptations to particular vaccination programmes."