USDA has authorized Boehringer Ingelheim to import two of the company’s live-virus vaccines for emergency use to help protect US poultry against avian metapneumovirus (aMPV), a highly contagious respiratory viral infection that can result in severe respiratory symptoms and increased mortality in poultry as well as a decrease in egg production.
The live-virus aMPV vaccines will be available soon in the US, the company announced at the International Production and Processing Expo in Atlanta.
In the European Union, the products are produced and registered as Nemovac®, which is used in chickens, and AVIFFA RTI, intended for turkeys.
This announcement follows USDA approval last fall of the importation of the TUR-3 inactivated aMPV vaccine produced by Boehringer Ingelheim for use in US turkey and chicken flocks.
‘Prevention is at the core’
“Prevention is at the core of poultry health, and our live-virus vaccines offer US poultry producers essential tools to help protect their flocks against avian metapneumovirus,” said Steve Boren, head of the company’s US livestock business.
Responding to emerging disease threats like avian metapneumovirus necessitates a collaborative approach between government and industry groups such as the National Turkey Federation, National Chicken Council and United Egg Producers, he added.
“The USDA’s authorization of importation of these vaccines underscores those efforts. We look forward to continuing our work with USDA and the poultry industry to combat this ongoing avian metapneumovirus outbreak.”
For more information on the vaccines, veterinarians should contact their Boehringer Ingelheim or distributor representative.
