From my Dutch news outlet:
Two vaccines are effective against the spread of bird flu. This is evident from a Dutch study commissioned by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality. The ministry calls it an important step in the fight against the bird flu virus.
In September 2023, eighteen hundred chicks from two laying farms were vaccinated against the bird flu virus, writes outgoing Minister Piet Adema (Agriculture) in a letter to the House of Representatives. Eight weeks after vaccination, a number of those vaccinated chickens were deliberately exposed to bird flu. But the birds did not become infected with the virus. There have been no more bird flu outbreaks since then.
More tests will be carried out on several poultry farms over the next year and a half. This examines the effectiveness of the vaccines during the entire period in which chickens lay eggs. The ministry wants to do this with a vaccine that has been authorized on the European market. This is expected to happen after the summer.
During these tests, a lot of attention will be paid to the possible negative effects of vaccination. This could have an effect on trade in eggs or other poultry products, for example. Possible infections within the companies are also strictly monitored. This minimizes the chance that the virus continues to circulate.
The government hopes to eventually be able to vaccinate on a large scale, but this must be done responsibly. Animal and public health and animal welfare must be taken into account. Negative consequences of the vaccination for trade must also be prevented.
Adema is happy with the positive test result. "We are another step further in the vaccination process. Vaccination is an important tool for reducing bird flu infections in kept poultry," said the minister.
WNO speaks of 'pandemic among animals'
The bird flu virus not only infects birds, but also many mammals. The World Health Organization (WHO) therefore speaks of an "animal pandemic".
Jeremy Farrar, WHO's chief scientist, called the outbreak of the H5N1 variant "hugely worrying." According to him, it cannot be ruled out that the very deadly virus will eventually evolve in such a way that it can spread from person to person.
The WHO's chief scientist therefore calls for better global monitoring of the virus. If it ever gets to the point where people can infect each other, the world must be prepared to "respond immediately."
Two vaccines are effective against the spread of bird flu. This is evident from a Dutch study commissioned by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality. The ministry calls it an important step in the fight against the bird flu virus.
In September 2023, eighteen hundred chicks from two laying farms were vaccinated against the bird flu virus, writes outgoing Minister Piet Adema (Agriculture) in a letter to the House of Representatives. Eight weeks after vaccination, a number of those vaccinated chickens were deliberately exposed to bird flu. But the birds did not become infected with the virus. There have been no more bird flu outbreaks since then.
More tests will be carried out on several poultry farms over the next year and a half. This examines the effectiveness of the vaccines during the entire period in which chickens lay eggs. The ministry wants to do this with a vaccine that has been authorized on the European market. This is expected to happen after the summer.
During these tests, a lot of attention will be paid to the possible negative effects of vaccination. This could have an effect on trade in eggs or other poultry products, for example. Possible infections within the companies are also strictly monitored. This minimizes the chance that the virus continues to circulate.
The government hopes to eventually be able to vaccinate on a large scale, but this must be done responsibly. Animal and public health and animal welfare must be taken into account. Negative consequences of the vaccination for trade must also be prevented.
Adema is happy with the positive test result. "We are another step further in the vaccination process. Vaccination is an important tool for reducing bird flu infections in kept poultry," said the minister.
WNO speaks of 'pandemic among animals'
The bird flu virus not only infects birds, but also many mammals. The World Health Organization (WHO) therefore speaks of an "animal pandemic".
Jeremy Farrar, WHO's chief scientist, called the outbreak of the H5N1 variant "hugely worrying." According to him, it cannot be ruled out that the very deadly virus will eventually evolve in such a way that it can spread from person to person.
The WHO's chief scientist therefore calls for better global monitoring of the virus. If it ever gets to the point where people can infect each other, the world must be prepared to "respond immediately."
Twee vaccins blijken na tests effectief tegen vogelgriep | Binnenland | NU.nl
Twee vaccins zijn effectief tegen de verspreiding van vogelgriep. Dat blijkt uit een onderzoek in opdracht van het ministerie van Landbouw, Natuur en Voedselkwaliteit. Het ministerie noemt het een belangrijke stap in de strijd tegen het vogelgriepvirus.
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