Avian influenza viruses represent a permanent threat not only to domestic poultry but also to humans as exemplified by the present avian influenza virus (AIV) H5N1 epidemic. Culling of thousands of birds and conventional vaccination strategies in Asian countries did not prevent spread of H5N1 to Europe. So far, general vaccination of domestic poultry is prohibited in Europe. The common inactivated influenza virus vaccines do not prevent virus shedding, and there are no means to discriminate between infected and immunized animals. The goal of this project is the development and evaluation of a new AIV marker vaccine for poultry. This vaccine will be based on a replicationincompetent vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) replicon expressing HA and M2 antigens of a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (H7N1). As no progeny virus will be released, the vector can be regarded as safe. The efficacy of this novel vaccine, especially with respect to its ability to produce sterile immunity will be evaluated in chicken.
DFG Programme
Research Grants
