The United Kingdom has started targeted vaccine trials against Avian Influenza (bird flu) in turkeys, signaling a shift in its strategy to control the disease that has severely affected poultry flocks.
The trials, announced by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), will run for 24 weeks and aim to test how effective approved vaccines are under real farm conditions. Authorities will also evaluate how monitoring systems can ensure that vaccination does not disrupt international poultry trade.
Bird flu outbreaks have become a major concern for governments and the poultry industry because of the damage they cause to flocks, rising food prices, and the potential risk of a new pandemic. According to DEFRA, outbreaks cost the UK government and poultry sector up to £174 million (about $232 million) annually.
Turkeys were selected for the trial because they are highly vulnerable to the virus, and outbreaks among them often lead to significant mortality rates.
Some major poultry-producing nations have been cautious about adopting vaccines, fearing that vaccination might mask infections and affect export markets. However, some countries are already experimenting with the approach.
France became the first major poultry exporter to launch nationwide vaccination for farm ducks in 2023 and says the program has helped reduce outbreaks. Meanwhile, the Netherlands and the United States are also conducting trials to study vaccine effectiveness and potential trade impacts.
