increase font size
With the global spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) making headlines around the world, the Department of Conservation (DoC) is taking steps to secure the safety of several endangered bird species that call New Zealand home.
DoC has collaborated with global animal health company Zoetis and Pacificvet, supplier of vaccines and veterinary immunology products to the poultry industries in New Zealand and the South Pacific.
This world first comprehensive multi-species avian wildlife HPAI vaccination safety and efficacy trial is based upon a previous collaboration among Zoetis, the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) and the United States Fish & Wildlife Service to help protect the endangered California condors.
New Zealand has never had HPAI. The Ministry for Primary Industries granted approval for the Poulvac Flufend RG A9733 vaccine from Zoetis, which is not commercially available in New Zealand, to be used in a controlled trial to test its safety and efficacy in a select number of endangered birds.
DoC has worked with Pacificvet to trial the vaccine’s use in five species – shore plover, red-crowed parakeet (as a surrogate for orange-fronted parakeet), black stilt and kakapo. The trial began in January 2024 and vaccinations were completed for all five species in May 2024. These species are listed as endangered or critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species and are reliant on captive breeding for species’ survival. It is not possible to vaccinate all endangered native birds, but it may provide an effective tool to protect species in captivity where the full two doses of vaccine can be given.
The aim of the trial is to assess the safety and efficacy of the vaccine in the five species. The birds are being monitored, and none have shown any adverse reactions to the vaccine. All five species have shown a positive antibody response to vaccination, and will be tested again shortly to measure the duration of that immunity.
Once the trial is completed, there will be evidence to show how well the vaccine works and how much protection it might provide to these species. Vaccination would then only be used after HPAI has arrived in New Zealand, to ensure the protection is recent and strong.
“Zoetis has a long history of supporting veterinarians working to protect wildlife and endangered species, and through our CTED, we are combating diseases that pose the greatest risk to animals and humans,” said Vanessa Macdonald, general manager for Zoetis New Zealand.
The team at Totally Vets, led by Dr Peter Aitken, have worked with Zoetis to test a new synchrony programme on Manawatu dairy farms, with their study finding real-world improvements in heifer reproductive performance.
Milton dairy farmer Chris Wills says he began using probiotics in spring 2023 to address somatic cell count (SCC) grades when cows transitioned from their winter barn to lush spring pasture.
Treat your farm boundary like a border. This was one of the messages delivered to farmers at a recent Beef + Lamb New Zealand Protect Your Patch workshop in Lincoln.
Feeding infected milk is high risk for spreading diseases such as M. bovis.
To ensure optimal growth, health, and wellbeing of calves, feeding strategies should be considered carefully.
One of New Zealand’s largest fertiliser plants could be forced to shut down for four months as uncertainty looms over gas supply.
Federated Farmers North Canterbury president Bex Green says two public meetings held this week should have made it loud and clear that rural families and businesses are concerned about proposed staffing changes at NZ Police.
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is consulting on a proposal to ban weedkillers containing chlorthal-dimethyl (DCPA).
August 6 marks Farm Worker Appreciation Day, a moment to recognise the dedication and hard mahi of dairy farm workers across Aotearoa - and DairyNZ is taking the opportunity to celebrate the skilled teams working on its two research farms.
OPINION: The Government has been seeking industry feedback on its proposed amendments to a range of Resource Management Act (RMA) national direction instruments.
A Taupo company says it's the first to bring CO₂-powered water heating technology to New Zealand dairy sheds, helping farmers cut energy costs by up to 85%.
OPINION: Your old mate's ear has been chewed off recently by farmers voicing their displeasure with the National Party, particularly…
OPINION: Your old mate hears that at a recent China Business Summit, PM Christopher Luxon delivered a none-too-subtle "could try…
