Avian influenza, which killed nearly 50 million chickens and turkeys in the United States earlier this year, “can now erupt in many areas across the globe” since the virus is spread by migratory waterfowl, says Ceva, a French drug maker, in arguing for inoculation against the disease.
The virus has adapted to survive for long periods in wild fowl, it said. “These birds are moving rapidly over huge distances and constantly mixing with other birds, which means that epizootics of unpredictable importance can now erupt in many areas across the globe, and no longer stay exclusively locally endemic. No country can be considered as safe and preventative health programs, such as vaccination programs, should therefore be implemented to take account of this.”
Ceva and the U.S. company Harrisvaccines were awarded contracts by USDA to produce millions of doses of bird flu vaccine for stockpiling. “This action … does not signal a decision to vaccinate for highly pathogenic avian influenza,” said USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. It said use of a vaccine will depend on how effective it is and the likely impact on trade. Many countries have indicated they would bar U.S. poultry and products, at least temporarily, while assessing a U.S. vaccine. Billions of dollars of sales could be affected.
In a statement, Ceva said bird flu has been reported in 31 countries this year with a total of 357 outbreaks.
Harrisvaccines said it was awarded $6 million to produce 48 million doses of vaccine. “The formation of an H5 vaccine stockpile is a crucial step toward protecting our nation from the resurgence of the deadly virus,” it said.
No U.S. cases have been reported since mid-year. Officials say the disease is spread through droppings by waterfowl so new outbreaks are possible during the fall migration.