USDA issues approval for import of live aMPV vaccine

WILLMAR, Minn. — The USDA has recently approved the import of live avian metapneumovirus vaccine (aMPV) into the United States. Vaxxinova , based in Italy, will begin shipping its Vaxxon? SHS vaccine. According to the company, this vaccine is a lyophilized live attenuated metapneumovirus vaccine to protect poultry against swollen head syndrome.

“This landmark approval is a testament to our commitment to advance animal health and meet the needs of our customers,” Brian Harberts, spokesperson and managing director with Vaxxinova, said. “The USDA’s decision marks an important milestone for the U.S. turkey and poultry industry who have been devastated by aMPV.”“As a result of the collaboration with industry organizations such as National Turkey Federation, poultry producers, and the USDA, Vaxxinova US is now able to offer the same vaccine to the U.S. market that Vaxxinova Italy has been providing to customers for the past 20-plus years,” Harberts added.

Addressing this vaccine import approval, the National Turkey Federation , in a statement noted that it, “welcomes the USDA’s approval of importation of a commercial modified live avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) vaccine, a massive advancement in protecting U.S. turkey flocks against aMPV.”

“This underscores our industry’s commitment to ensuring the health and productivity of our nation’s commercial turkey population,” NTF added. “We encourage the USDA to continue its work to ensure additional importation and development of aMPV vaccines.”

Avian metapneumovirus is a disease that affects the upper respiratory systems of turkeys, broilers, broiler/breeders, ducks, as well as wild bird species.

“In addition to good biosecurity, the use of live attenuated virus vaccines followed by administration of inactivated (killed) virus vaccines have been successfully used to control avian metapneumovirus, especially in long-lived chickens and turkeys,” Dr. Dan Domingo, Vaxxinova senior poultry technical service veterinarian, said. “Live vaccines have the ability to stimulate both systemic and local immunity in the respiratory tract. Attenuated live vaccines for aMPV prime the birds for the effective use of inactivated vaccines.”

This notice of import approval for live aMPV vaccine, comes on the heels of USDA’s late October announcement of import approval for killed virus vaccine.

勃林格殷格翰 was granted approval for the import of its TUR-3 vaccine which is used against Newcastle disease, avian paramyxovirosis type 3 and turkey rhinotracheitis. This vaccine, used throughout Europe, can be used by U.S. turkey and chicken producers against aMPV.

“U.S. poultry producers have been challenged by avian metapneumovirus, and it’s positive news that our TUR-3 vaccine will be available as a tool to support USDA and industry efforts to protect flocks against this highly contagious respiratory disease,” Steve Boren, head of Boehringer Ingelheim’s U.S. Livestock and Equine business, said in a statement following the October announcement. “We understand that disease outbreaks not only impact poultry health, but also the livelihoods of producers and the security of our food supply.”

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