USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is currently conducting avian influenza vaccination trials on several vaccine candidates. Initial data from the study with a single dose of the vaccine are expected to be available in May 2023 while results from two-dose vaccine challenge studies are expected in June.

“Should the trials be successful, and should USDA elect to continue development, the next step is identifying manufacturers interested in vaccine production,” the agency said.

Once one or more manufacturers are identified, there are 20 discrete stages to complete before vaccine delivery. The stages begin with feasibility work by the manufacturer and culminates with product label submission and review. General timeframes are 2.5-3 years; however, in emergency situations manufacturers may expedite development, resulting in a shortened timeframe to licensure.

“From vaccine development to production timelines, to dissemination to flocks, there are many factors that make implementing a vaccine strategy a challenge and it would take time to deliver an effective vaccine” USDA explained. “In a best-case scenario, USDA estimates an 18–24-month timeline before having a vaccine that matches the currently circulating virus strain, is available in commercial quantities, and can be easily administered to commercial poultry.”

The vaccine research is just one of the many efforts United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has underway to mitigate the latest outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), which has affected 58.65 million birds in the U.S. alone.

As part of USDA’s commitment to leave no stone unturned in the fight, on April 13, 2023, the department held a stakeholder roundtable with poultry industry leaders and state government officials to discuss the current and future HPAI strategy and opportunities for continued collaboration.

Participants had the opportunity to hear from USDA leaders including Acting Deputy Secretary Kevin Shea, Marketing and Regulatory Programs Under Secretary Jenny Moffitt and other experts from USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, which is leading on biosecurity measures, and the Agricultural Research Service, which is testing a number of potential vaccines.

“Since the first case of HPAI was confirmed in a commercial flock in the U.S. in Feb. 2022, USDA has followed Secretary Vilsack’s clear direction to quickly identify cases and respond immediately to stop the virus from spreading,” said Shea. “Thanks to collaborative state and industry partnerships and enhanced national animal disease preparedness and response capabilities, we are successfully controlling this outbreak and mitigating its impact on U.S. poultry production and trade.”

The lessons learned since the last major HPAI outbreak are many and have reinforced the importance of biosecurity, enhanced surveillance and testing, and on-the-ground personnel to quickly respond to cases and prevent the disease’s spread. USDA has also achieved tremendous cost-savings during this outbreak – almost 50% over the last outbreak - while also working to secure regionalization agreements and keep markets open with key trading partners.

“All of these lessons learned have informed our current strategy of stamping out and eradicating HPAI – which continues to be the most effective strategy because it works,” said Moffitt. “For example, during the 2014-2015 outbreak, 70% of HPAI cases were attributed to lateral spread. Whereas in this outbreak, lateral spread has been reduced to 15%. But we need to remain vigilant, especially as wild birds continue to pose disease risks. We all must recognize the important role of biosecurity plays in limiting the impact of wild birds at farms and facilities.”

As of April 2023, USDA said improved biosecurity measures by the commercial industry have vastly reduced the number of detections in the commercial sector. For example, in March 2022, there were a total of 51 commercial poultry HPAI detections. In March 2023, there were seven commercial poultry detections, a decrease of 85% from the previous year. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) continues to work with state and industry partners on robust surveillance and the quick eradication of positive flocks, especially as warmer months typically bring an increase in cases.

USDA said biosecurity remains the best defense against HPAI and strongly encourages all bird owners to review resources on managing wildlife to prevent avian influenza, evaluate their biosecurity plans and develop a strategy to prevent any exposure to wild birds or their droppings.