Avian flu is now endemic in many countries in Southeast Asia, where it has caused
losses of $10 billion over the last two years, and it now threatens the western
commercial poultry sector.
This report investigates the technical background to avian flu, and details the
range of identification, control and eradication strategies that are available.
The report identifies the potential role of animal health companies in these efforts,
specifically with respect to diagnostics and vaccines, and discusses these sectors
in terms of their strengths and weaknesses, and key R&D objectives to improve
their effectiveness. Predictive scenarios for the future global development of
the outbreak are analysed. The report concludes with profiles of the leading companies
in the fields of diagnostics, vaccines and disinfectants.
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Table of Contents:
1. Background to avian flu
2. The control and eradication of avian flu in commercial flocks
3. Strategic issues for animal health companies
4. Company profiles
References
Appendices
Avian flu is a viral infection that was first recorded in the 19th century. There
are numerous strains, some of which are highly pathogenic, whilst others cause
little or no effect on the health of the infected bird. The virus mutates easily,
meaning that it can change quickly from a low pathogenic to a high pathogenic
strain, or even jump the species barrier to humans. The virus infects most, if
not all, bird species, including commercial poultry.
The economic costs of avian flu outbreaks in commercial and backyard poultry
can be very high, with high mortality rates and a rapid infection of other flocks,
farms and regions. Export markets are usually lost during the outbreak, and consumer
confidence in poultry meat is affected.
The prime means of control is through surveillance and biosecurity to ensure
that the virus does not infect new regions; and through culling after an outbreak
has been diagnosed. This has been successful in several developed countries over
the last 20 years. The virus can be diagnosed relatively easily through commercially-available
laboratory tests. Vaccines are also available. However, vaccination strategies
have several disadvantages, and most western countries still rely on surveillance
followed by eradication by culling to keep their domestic poultry flocks free
of the virus.
The current outbreak in East and Southeast Asia started in 2003 and has spread
to most countries in the region. Efforts at eradication have met with varying
degrees of success and there are now concerns that the virus may be endemic in
some countries. This has significant medium and long-term consequences for many
stakeholders. The commercial and backyard poultry industry in the region is under
threat, whilst there is justified concern that the virus will spread to developed
countries, principally through migrating birds. There is also a significant possibility
that the virus will mutate to a form that “jumps the species barrier” and infects
humans, causing a global flu pandemic.
This report analyses the key characteristics and consequences of the avian flu
outbreak. It reviews the prime methods of control, including their advantages
and disadvantages; and profiles the range of control and eradication strategies
adopted by developed western countries and developing Asian nations. The report
presents a range of scenarios as to how the current outbreak may develop, and
the consequences in terms of the international poultry industry and public health.
The opportunities for animal health companies are discussed. The report ends with
profiles of the leading companies who supply products related to avian flu, including
diagnostics, vaccines and disinfectant manufacturers.
