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Title: EVALUATION OF A COMMERCIAL AVIAN INFLUENZA (H7N2) VACCINE FOR PROTECTION IN TURKEYS AGAINST AN AVIAN INFLUENZA VIRUS (H7N2) ISOLATED FROM TURKEYS IN VIRGINIA DURING 2002

Author
item Tumpey, Terrence
item Kapczynski, Darrell
item Swayne, David

Submitted to: Lohmann Animal Health Newsletter
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/15/2003
Publication Date: 9/15/2003
Citation: TUMPEY, T., KAPCZYNSKI, D.R., SWAYNE, D.E. EVALUATION OF A COMMERCIAL AVIAN INFLUENZA (H7N2) VACCINE FOR PROTECTION IN TURKEYS AGAINST AN AVIAN INFLUENZA VIRUS (H7N2) ISOLATED FROM TURKEYS IN VIRGINIA DURING 2002. LOHMANN ANIMAL HEALTH NEWSLETTER (Avian Insight 3:1-4), 2003.

Interpretive Summary: In 2002, a low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) virus, type H7N2, was isolated in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and portions of North Carolina, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. This outbreak started in and was largely confined to turkey breeder flocks and meat-type birds; however the broiler and broiler-breeder industries have also been impacted. Before the last positive farm was detected in July of 2002, Virginia's State Veterinarian quarantined 197 Shenandoah Valley poultry farms and ordered the depopulation of 4.7 million turkeys and chickens. This outbreak of H7N2 virus raised questions about the potential of available vaccines to provide protection in poultry. A study was undertaken to determine if an existing commercial H7N2 AI vaccine manufactured by Lohmann Animal Health could provide protection against a recent H7N2 2002 isolate. In vaccine trials, neither control nor H7N2-vaccinated turkeys developed clinical signs or death following challenge with A/turkey/Virginia/158512/02 (H7N2) LPAI virus. The inactivated vaccine groups (1x and 2x vaccinated) had a significant reduction in titers of challenge virus shed from the oropharynx when compared to sham-vaccinated groups for days 1-7 after challenge. These studies suggest that a currently available commercial vaccine can provide protection to a recent H7N2 avian influenza isolate.

Technical Abstract: Not required.