Jurong Bird Park vaccinates against H5N1 using H5N2 vaccine

[Sally Furniss]

The Jurong Bird Park remains vigilant in their approach towards H5N1, by conducting annual avian flu (H5N2) vaccinations for the 600 species of birds in their collection. Vaccinating the birds with the H5N2 vaccine increases the birds' immune system by creating antibodies. With the increase in the immune system,there might be a decrease in mortality when faced with H5N1. Another line of defense against H5N1 lies in the presence of sentinel chickens in the exhibits. Sentinel chickens have no immunity and will fall sick very easily when faced with a disease. They are the first alert in the event of any plausible infection. The blood and faeces of these sentinel chickens are tested monthly for avian influenza.

The Bird Park also organizes annual bird flu drills, which simulate an actual outbreak as preparedness is key.

photo
Hoot, an Eurasian eagle owl, being vaccinated against H5N1 (avian flu), with the H5N2 vaccine at the Jurong Bird Park. Vaccinating birds with the H5N2 vaccine increases the birds' immune system by creating antibodies. With the increase in the immune system,theremight bea decrease in mortality when faced with H5N1.

photo
Arlina, an African fish eagle being vaccinated against H5N1 (avian flu), with the H5N2 vaccine at the Jurong Bird Park. Vaccinating birds with the H5N2 vaccine increases the birds' immune system by creating antibodies. With the increase in the immune system,there might bea decrease in mortality when faced with H5N1.

photo
Arlina, an African fish eagle, being sprayed with an anti mite solution to prevent parasites, after the H5N1 (avian flu) vaccination with the H5N2 vaccine at the Jurong Bird Park.

Photo credits: Bjorn Olesen.

http://www.birdpark.com.sg/l2_t1.aspx?l2=15&l1=6&langid=1

[Giuseppe]

Re: Jurong Bird Park vaccinates against H5N1 using H5N2 vaccine

Singapore. Avian flu jabs for Jurong Bird Park flamingos (Channelnewsasia.com, edited)

[Source: Channel NewsAsia, <cite cite="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1064637/1/.html">Channel NewsAsia - Avian flu jabs for Jurong Bird Park flamingos - channelnewsasia.com</cite>. Edited.]

Avian flu jabs for Jurong Bird Park flamingos

By Sharon See | Posted: 21 June 2010 1611 hrs
SINGAPORE:


It's not just humans who are getting flu jabs. The Jurong Bird Park is vaccinating its birds to protect them against the bird flu.

Dr Melodiya Magno, a veterinarian at Jurong Bird Park, said:

"There's a need to vaccinate the birds in the Bird Park because the danger of bird flu is something that is real. For bird-to-human (transmission), there is a chance, but it can be rare.

"But we are vaccinating (the birds) because...if it (the virus) is transmitted from bird to bird, it can cause a lot of mortalities, like 90 to 100 percent for H5N1.

"It costs less than $1,000 to vaccinate all 8,000 birds in the Bird Park every year. But the job is time-consuming and tedious. Still, the Bird Park has been taking this exercise seriously for the past five years.

Dr Magno said:

"There is a high possibility that the virus can mutate, that's why we're trying to take preventive measures in controlling other low pathogenic, other less dangerous strain, which is the strain that we are vaccinating against.

"In that way, if we prevent an outbreak from happening (involving the low pathogenic strain), then we can prevent it from mutating to a higher pathogenic strain, perhaps a strain that can infect humans."

The birds are given the H5N2 vaccine that strengthens their immune system by creating antibodies. The Bird Park says this could also increase their chances of survival against the H5N1, commonly known as bird flu.

Besides the vaccine, the birds are also given anti-parasitic medication and vitamin injections to relieve the stress of the vaccination.

Aside from the annual vaccination and bird flu drills, the Bird Park also takes other precautions against the disease.

"We have sentinel chickens in strategic positions in the park, and we collect samples from them. We collect their faeces and blood on a monthly basis to check whether they are carrying viruses," said Dr Magno.

CNA/ir
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