Zoetis gets USDA approval for Georgia 2008 IBV vaccine

Based on research which included isolation and characterization of the GA 08 virus, Zoetis developed a new vaccine that has performed well in areas hard hit by this costly virus. 
Zoetis has obtained a full license from the USDA to sell Poulvac Bron GA 08, the first commercially available vaccine to reduce disease caused by Georgia 2008 (GA 08) type infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) in poultry.
Poulvac Bron GA 08, a live vaccine, is licensed for vaccination of healthy chickens at one day of age or older as an aid in the reduction of disease caused by GA 08. The vaccine was licensed based on clinical data showing that the vaccine meets USDA’s standards for safety, efficacy, purity and potency. The full license follows USDA’s provision of a conditional license in the fall of 2013, which authorized the vaccine’s sale in states affected by GA 08.
According to Kalen Cookson, DVM, MAM, a technical services veterinarian for Zoetis, close collaboration with the USDA, the University of Georgia and poultry producers from affected states helped bring the vaccine to market on an ambitious timeline.
“In April 2013, representatives of major U.S. poultry companies invited Zoetis to join a task force at the University of Georgia to discuss ideas for tackling GA 08, particularly the development of a vaccine,” said Cookson. “Thanks to the continued support of industry, the USDA and the university, which provided the viral isolates on which the vaccine is based, we are pleased to offer our customers a fully licensed vaccine for GA 08 before winter, when disease challenge is highest.”
Making poultry vaccine available was a ‘top priority’ for Zoetis
First identified in Georgia in December 2007, GA 08 has since been isolated on farms in Alabama, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky.  Over the past three winters, its incidence and severity have increased dramatically, along with associated costs.
Unlike other IBV strains, which typically affect the upper respiratory tract, GA 08 primarily affects the lower tract, particularly the air sacs.
According to Holly Sellers, PhD, professor at the University of Georgia’s Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center, GA 08 rarely makes its presence known on the farm, but becomes a real issue at the processing plant due to higher incidence of airsacculitis. This results in increased condemnations, reduced plant efficiency and ultimately economic loss for producers.
“Each winter for the past three years, the number of states and companies affected by GA 08 has increased dramatically,” commented Sellers. “Outbreaks have taken a major economic toll on producers and processors in the Southeast, so making a vaccine available has been a top priority. Based on UGA’s initial research, which included isolation and characterization of the virus, Zoetis has developed a new vaccine that has performed well in areas hard hit by this costly virus, against which other IBV vaccines offer little protection. We are grateful for the support that Zoetis and the poultry industry have provided in this productive collaboration, and are confident that it will have a positive impact on producers in Georgia and in other affected states.”

Zoetis receives license for vaccine to control Georgia '08 strain of infectious bronchitis virus in poultry

Zoetis Inc. has obtained a conditional license from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to market the first commercially available vaccine for helping reduce disease caused by the Georgia 2008 variant of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) in poultry*. The vaccine is now available in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky and Tennessee.
The USDA agreed to issue a conditional license because the modified-live vaccine fills a special need, has been shown to be safe and has demonstrated a "reasonable expectation of efficacy" against the target pathogen.
"The Georgia '08 variant has had a devastating impact on animal health, production, and profits on affected farms, with previously available vaccines providing little protection," said Kalen Cookson, DVM, MAM, a technical services veterinarian for Zoetis.
"We set the ambitious goal in spring 2013 of having a commercial vaccine available for this contagious and costly strain in time for winter, when IBV is most prevalent. We were able to achieve this goal in only seven months, thanks to the strong support of industry and the USDA. We look forward to their continued support as we work towards a full license for the vaccine."
First identified in Georgia in December 2007, the Georgia '08 IBV variant has since been isolated on farms in Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky. Over the past two winters, its incidence and severity have increased dramatically, resulting in significant losses due to condemnations at processing, reduced line efficiency and additional plant measures needed to process affected birds.
Unlike other IBV strains, which typically affect the upper respiratory tract, the Georgia '08 variant primarily affects the lower tract, particularly the air sacs. According to Cookson, lower respiratory tract infections produce fewer visible symptoms in live birds, but cause "unpleasant surprises" at processing.
"Airsacculitis is a major cause of condemnation," he explained. "Even when birds are salvageable, the extra time and steps required have a major impact on plant efficiency."
In addition, he said, more severe outbreaks of the Georgia '08 strain can cause further losses due to mortalities and secondary infections from E. coli and other harmful bacteria.
The new conditionally licensed vaccine has received broad industry support, including a letter from veterinarians at four major poultry companies affected by the Georgia '08 variant.
Zoetis plans to submit additional efficacy studies of the vaccine in order to pursue a full USDA license. For more information about the conditionally licensed vaccine and other biologicals for managing IBV, producers should contact their local Zoetis representative.
* This product license is conditional. Efficacy and potency test studies are in progress.

Research advances understanding of vaccination against Arkansas infectious bronchitis

USPOULTRY and the USPOULTRY Foundation announce the completion of a funded research project at Auburn University on research that advances the understanding of vaccination against Arkansas Infectious Bronchitis. The project is part of USPOULTRY's comprehensive research program encompassing all phases of poultry and egg production and processing.
Led by Dr. van Ginkel, Auburn University, researchers studied the immune response to Arkansas infectious bronchitis virus (ARK IBV). Despite widespread vaccination, ARK IBV continues to sporadically cause disease in U.S. broilers. The researchers found that tiny changes in the structure of the virus allow it to evade the immune system of the chicken. This research helps explain the cause of apparent vaccine failures and may lead to improved vaccines in the future.
A complete report, along with information on other association research, may be obtained by going to USPOULTRY's website.