Should EU Vaccinate All Of Its Poultry Against Bird Flu?

Featured Article
Main Category: Bird Flu / Avian Flu
Also Included In: Veterinary
Article Date: 21 Feb 2006 - 15:00 PDT

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The EU is currently contemplating whether the vaccination of the region's poultry stock as a measure to curb the spread of bird flu is the right move. The Netherlands and France have applied to the EU for permission to vaccinate some poultry.

The plan is a controversial one, with some in favour and others wondering whether it is the best move. There are questions about its effectiveness, huge cost and its massive logistical undertaking.

The H5N1 Bird Flu virus strain is gradually spreading into new parts of Europe. Hungary has just confirmed that three dead swans were infected with the H5N1 strain. In Germany, the number of identified birds infected has risen to 103.

There is a great deal of concern in most parts of the European Union that bird flu (avian flu) may soon infect farmed poultry.

Poultry sales, the sale of chicken meat for human consumption is falling alarmingly in many parts of Europe. In Italy, retailers are reporting falls of 90% in sales, while the French Federation of Wholesale Poultry says sales have dropped 25%.

Bird flu has spread from VietNam, in 2003, to Western Europe and West Africa (Nigeria). Parts of India are experiencing an alarming rate of bird flu infection.

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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