Is there a West Nile Virus vaccine available for birds?
At this time, there is not a West Nile Virus vaccine approved for use in birds. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in collaboration with several organizations and laboratories, is developing and testing vaccines for use in birds. Many zoos and wildlife centers have been using the Fort Dodge horse vaccine (West Nile-Innovator®) in birds. The vaccine has not been tested for use in birds by Fort Dodge, and therefore, the safety and efficacy of use of this vaccine in birds is neither known nor guaranteed by Fort Dodge or the U.S. Department of Agriculture. There are currently several studies underway investigating the use of this vaccine in captive bird populations to investigate the effects of the Fort Dodge vaccine and a recombinant DNA vaccine. The recently licensed WNV vaccine by Merial (Recombitek Equine West Nile virus®) has been approved by the USDA for use in horses only. Similar to the Fort Dodge vaccine, the safety and efficacy of the Merial vaccine in birds is neither known nor guaranteed by Merial or the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Learn more: Vector-Borne Diseases
Related
What is the threat from West Nile Virus (WNV) to endangered and threatened bird species? What is the threat from West Nile Virus (WNV) to endangered and threatened bird species?
This is an issue of great concern, as these populations are already struggling to survive in the current environment. If some of these species are more vulnerable to fatal WNV infection, WNV may ultimately lead to their extinction or significantly set back the progress of the recovery programs.
Where in the United States has West Nile Virus been detected in wildlife? Where in the United States has West Nile Virus been detected in wildlife?
West Nile Virus has been detected in all conterminous states of the U.S., the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Alaska, Hawaii, and Guam have no reported cases of West Nile virus in humans or animals. Distribution maps are available from the Centers for Disease Control. Learn more: Vector-Borne Diseases
What is Avian Influenza? What is Avian Influenza?
Avian influenza (AI) is caused by influenza type A viruses that historically have spread between wild birds (waterfowl and shorebirds) with occasional outbreaks in poultry (chickens, turkeys). These viruses can change over time and there has been a fundamental change with AI viruses now causing illness and death in wild birds, wild mammals, poultry, dairy cattle, cats, and people. Learn more...
What is White-nose Syndrome? What is White-nose Syndrome?
White-nose syndrome is an emergent disease of hibernating bats that has spread from the northeastern to the central United States at an alarming rate. Since the winter of 2007-2008, millions of insect-eating bats in at least 40 states and eight Canadian provinces have died from this devastating disease. The disease is named for the white fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, that infects skin of...
Related
What is the threat from West Nile Virus (WNV) to endangered and threatened bird species? What is the threat from West Nile Virus (WNV) to endangered and threatened bird species?
This is an issue of great concern, as these populations are already struggling to survive in the current environment. If some of these species are more vulnerable to fatal WNV infection, WNV may ultimately lead to their extinction or significantly set back the progress of the recovery programs.
Where in the United States has West Nile Virus been detected in wildlife? Where in the United States has West Nile Virus been detected in wildlife?
West Nile Virus has been detected in all conterminous states of the U.S., the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Alaska, Hawaii, and Guam have no reported cases of West Nile virus in humans or animals. Distribution maps are available from the Centers for Disease Control. Learn more: Vector-Borne Diseases
What is Avian Influenza? What is Avian Influenza?
Avian influenza (AI) is caused by influenza type A viruses that historically have spread between wild birds (waterfowl and shorebirds) with occasional outbreaks in poultry (chickens, turkeys). These viruses can change over time and there has been a fundamental change with AI viruses now causing illness and death in wild birds, wild mammals, poultry, dairy cattle, cats, and people. Learn more...
What is White-nose Syndrome? What is White-nose Syndrome?
White-nose syndrome is an emergent disease of hibernating bats that has spread from the northeastern to the central United States at an alarming rate. Since the winter of 2007-2008, millions of insect-eating bats in at least 40 states and eight Canadian provinces have died from this devastating disease. The disease is named for the white fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, that infects skin of...