One of the selected projects will be executed by Intervet together with its research partners, Friedrich Loeffler Institute Riems and Bommeli AG. They will receive a total funding of € 1.37 million for the duration of three years.

The primary aim of this project is to develop avian influenza vaccines based on live vector vaccines which can be mass applied through spray, drinking water or eye drop instead of injection.. This would offer considerable advantages like mass applicable administration and a less labour intensive and much more animal friendly application. Furthermore, vaccination via the airways, the natural route of infection also for influenza virus will result in a more complete and faster protection, which can be very important in case of a disease outbreak. Another aim of this project is to develop sensitive, specific and easy to use marker diagnostic tests, to allow differentiation between vaccinated and infected birds.

“We are pleased that the European Commission allocates an important role to Intervet in the protection against avian influenza. Our research could prove to be very valuable in the development of a method to quickly protect large numbers of birds. Avian influenza is a very important research subject for Intervet and this subsidy definitely brings an extra motivation”, said Danny Goovaerts, who is coordinating the project at Intervet.

ThePoultrySite News Desk