First H5 avian influenza vaccine for UK poultry

Intervet UK Limited has announced that it has received official marketing authorisation from the UK authorities for its avian influenza vaccine Nobilis Influenza. This is the first such licence to be issued in the European Union and reflects the company's considerable expertise in developing and manufacturing a very wide range of poultry vaccines.

Nobilis Influenza can be used to immunise chickens, ducks and other avian species against the H5 strain of avian influenza, which is the type responsible for the current outbreak. Other subtypes covered by the authorisation include H7 and H9 so protection can also be offered against these subtypes that infect poultry.

Speaking for Intervet, general manager Jim Hungerford says: "This is a significant development for poultry producers and one that will undoubtedly reduce the spread of the disease should it ever reach the UK poultry population."

Reducing the spread of the disease in birds will be a key factor in enabling the disease to be contained, thereby helping prevent the risk of transmission to humans. The fewer cases there are in humans reduces the chance of the virus mutating into a form that can be passed from person to person.

Nobilis Influenza will only be available from veterinary surgeons under conditions established by European Community legislation on the control of avian influenza. Use of the vaccine must also be authorised by the competent UK authority. Nobilis Influenza is categorised as a POM-V product.