Gov.UK New targeted trial in turkeys will test vaccine efficacy as part of fight to protect wild and captive birds. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) vaccine trials have started today (Thursday 5 March) in a major step forward in the fight against the disease.
New trials will explore the potential for the latest vaccines to protect birds, focusing on turkeys only in England, providing valuable insight into how well vaccines work in the field, how surveillance can be managed to retain trade and how vaccines can help manage the disease.
The scale of avian influenza outbreaks in the UK and Europe within the last few years has been unprecedented, causing devastation for bird keepers on the frontline and the poultry sector. Annual outbreaks cost the UK Government and industry up to £174m each year. The disease has significantly impacted both captive and wild birds globally since 2020.