November 10, 2011

Merck Animal Health announces EU approval for PORCILIS M Hyo ID ONCE Swine Vaccine

Merck Animal Health has announced that it has received marketing authorisation in the EU for PORCILIS® M Hyo ID ONCE, the first single-shot vaccine against Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M Hyo) infection in pigs.

PORCILIS M Hyo ID ONCE is approved in the 25 member states of the EU plus Iceland and Norway for the active immunisation of finishing pigs to reduce pulmonary lesions and the decrease in daily weight gain during the finishing period due to infection caused by M Hyo.

The new vaccine differs from the existing PORCILIS M Hyo because it comes as a single-shot (whereas the existing vaccine is available as a two-shot vaccine).

Secondly, the new vaccine is approved for use as an intradermal administration (whereas the existing vaccine is approved for use as an intramuscular administration).

Lastly, this new single-shot, intradermal application of the vaccine adds flexibility and convenience in use to the current dosage scheme that has been available in Europe since 2004. Market introduction in the individual countries will depend on the granting of national licenses that have been scheduled for the coming four to six months.

Infection with M Hyo is known to cause enzootic pneumonia, a chronic pneumonia which can be complicated by opportunistic bacterial infections (such as P. multocida, B. bronchoseptica, S. suis, H. parasuis and A. pyogenes). There is usually an incubation period of two to eight weeks before clinical signs of M Hyo infection are seen. Over the first six to eight weeks after it enters the population there may be severe acute pneumonia, dehydration, heavy breathing, coughing, respiratory distress and fever. These result in increased mortality, as well as a reduced rate of weight gain and lower feed efficiency. As a consequence, M Hyo infection in a pig herd often results in significant economic losses for the farmer.