The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a permit allowing for the importation of a vaccine against avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) subtype B in commercial turkey and chicken flocks.
Outside the U.S., both live and inactivated vaccines are commonly used to immunize chickens and turkeys against avian metapneumovirus. Inside the U.S., the National Turkey Federation (NTF) has urged for the USDA to allow for the import of an avian metapneumovirus vaccine.
The killed vaccine, TUR-3, is currently licensed for use against avian metapneumovirus in Europe and produced by Boehringer-Ingelheim. The inactivated strain used in the vaccine targets turkey rhinotracheitis, the infection caused by aMPV.
The import permit approval allows for use in emergency situations. It follows a request earlier this year by the USDA Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB) for vaccines against the virus.
“By leveraging the Boehringer global supply network, we were able to respond to USDA’s call for vaccines and support poultry producers who have been impacted by the virus,” said Steve Boren, head of the Boehringer Ingelheim U.S. Livestock and Equine business.
“We are steadfast in our commitment to delivering solutions that safeguard the health of poultry, and this import permit brings us one step closer to that goal. We are eager to continue our collaboration with USDA and poultry producers across the U.S., contributing to a healthier future for all."
The vaccine is expected to be available in the U.S. in November 2024.
About aMPV
aMPV, also known as turkey rhinotracheitis or swollen head syndrome, can induce highly contagious respiratory disease in all species of commercial poultry, as well as wild birds. Infection also results in a drop off in egg production and quality in layers and broiler and turkey breeder hens.
While avian metapneumovirus is grouped in subtypes A to D, strains A & B are the root of a nearly all cases present in the U.S. The respiratory disease isn’t a notifiable disease for the USDA, so the total number of birds impacted is unknown.
NTF supports vaccine use
NTF applauded the import permit approval.
“The National Turkey Federation welcomes the USDA's approval of Boehringer Ingelheim's TUR-3 killed virus vaccine, an advancement in protecting U.S. turkey flocks against avian metapneumovirus (aMPV). This development underscores our industry's commitment to ensuring the health and productivity of our nation's commercial turkey population. We continue to encourage the USDA to allow the importation of a live vaccine, which will provide us the additional and necessary resources to fight aMPV,” Alex Davidson, NTF senior director of public affairs said in an e-mailed comment to WATTPoultry.
