Zoetis Inc. recently announced a significant development in the fight against avian metapneumovirus (AMPV) in the United States. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB) has granted an import permit for a modified live vaccine, Poulvac® TRT, designed to combat turkey rhinotracheitis (TRT) caused by AMPV. This announcement comes at a crucial time as the poultry industry faces a growing need to control this infectious disease.
Kristin Kasselman, Senior Vice President and U.S. Head of Livestock & Equine at Zoetis, emphasized the importance of this milestone, stating, “Securing the import permit and bringing an effective intervention to the United States to help combat this infectious disease has been the utmost priority for our Zoetis team.” She expressed gratitude for the collaboration with customers, government agencies, and industry partners in making this vaccine available when it is most needed.
AMPV is known for its high infectivity and transmissibility, primarily affecting turkeys, followed by broilers and layers. The virus made its first appearance in the fall of 2023 and has since become widespread in the United States. In response to this emerging threat, the USDA’s CVB has expressed interest in partnering with the industry to provide a solution in the form of a vaccine.
Dr. Kalen Cookson, Director of Clinical Research at Zoetis, highlighted the collaborative efforts with the CVB and state health officials to make the Poulvac TRT vaccine accessible to turkey veterinarians in the U.S. He stated, “Poulvac TRT has been used successfully around the world where producers have dealt with AMPV pressure.”
The Poulvac TRT vaccine is administered to turkeys aged 1 day or older but less than 10 days through coarse spray, eye drop, or nose drop methods. Studies have shown that immunity can be established as early as three weeks post-vaccination and can last for up to 14 weeks. The vaccine is manufactured at a Zoetis facility in Spain, and once the product is available in the U.S., Zoetis will prioritize vaccine allocation.
For more information about the Poulvac TRT vaccine, poultry producers and veterinarians are encouraged to reach out to their veterinarian or local Zoetis representative. This new vaccine represents a crucial step in the industry’s efforts to combat the spread of AMPV and protect poultry populations across the United States.
In conclusion, the collaboration between Zoetis, government agencies, and industry stakeholders has led to the development and approval of the Poulvac TRT vaccine, providing a valuable tool in the fight against avian metapneumovirus in the U.S. This development underscores the importance of proactive measures in controlling infectious diseases within the poultry industry and highlights the significance of partnerships in addressing emerging threats to animal health and welfare.
