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re: yytrium billy boy here you go A new bird flu vaccine which unlike previous ones, can be sprayed over birds instead of individual injection, thereby being able to shield greater numbers in lesser time.

This first of its kind vaccine includes the effectiveness of vaccines already available and adds the new component of bulk usage - a combination which amounts to great benefits for its manufacturers and users both.

This development is particularly significant in the light of the recent H5N1 avian influenza, that had spread across Asia, Africa and Europe resulting in the forced or consequential death of tens of millions of birds. Recent statistics of the World Health Organization claim that in January itself, the virus killed 79 Asians and has now spread over 10 countries, infecting around 224 people, killing 127 of them.


Poultry get infected by the avian influenza virus in several ways such as direct contact with infected poultry, through contact with cages, water and feed that have been contaminated with the virus. People, vehicles, and other inanimate objects usually act as vectors for the spread of influenza virus from one farm to another.

Also, the viruses are classified into low-pathogenicity and high-pathogenicity based on the severity of the illness they cause. The latter is an extremely infectious and fatal form of the disease that, once established, can spread rapidly from flock to flock. One must also note that some low-pathogenicity virus strains are capable of mutating under field conditions into high-pathogenicity viruses. This vaccine therefore attacks the problem at the root level, preventing spread and advancement of the disease.

Another advantage of the new vaccine is that it greatly reduces not only the effort required presently, but also the costs of individually administered doses, as pointed out by Akzo's executive in charge of pharmaceuticals, Toon Wilderbeek.

Added, scientists speculate that it might not be long before the virus undergoes a mutation causing it to be easily spread from one human being to another, resulting in a global epidemic in a matter of weeks.

Intervet, Akzo Nobel's animal health unit which developed the drug assert that it also works against Newcastle Disease and declare its field trials to begin next year, making it accessible soon.