1.0 Vaccination against HPAI. An alternative perspective for control.

• APHIS has to emerge from their bubble of self-deception and recognize that

           endemic HPAI cannot be prevented and controlled by biosecurity alone, 

          however stringent. Vaccination as an adjunct to current control measures will   

          be required

• APHIS must urgently develop a plan of action to allow vaccination of pullets and

            laying flocks in high-risk areas with appropriate monitoring

• Notwithstanding introduction of a policy to allow vaccination, losses will continue until adequate levels of immunity are achieved. It is noted that spring migration of waterfowl will commence in a few weeks so that any current delays in implementing protective vaccination will prolong the epornitic.

• As flocks are progressively vaccinated, APHIS and state policy should be directed to early detection of emerging infection with imposition of absolute quarantine with breaking and pasteurization of eggs. Flocks would not be depopulated but with a proportion, comprising susceptible hens dying. Flocks would be monitored for shedding that should cease after three weeks, allowing resumption of marketing, subject to demonstrating freedom from viral shedding.

•  If vaccination is allowed and deployed, indemnity would cease after a period of transition. Producers would benefit from having productive albeit smaller flocks in the event of infection.

2.0   Observations on current industry concerns

• Suspending cage-free mandates will have no short-term appreciable effect on increasing supply and therefore will not reduce the national average shelf price of shell eggs.

• APHIS must expedite approval of inactivated H5N2 (DIVA) oil-emulsion vaccines available from reputable multinational and U.S. manufacturers. Delay will prolong the ongoing epornitic

• Available human H5N1 vaccine should be administered to all who come into contact with live poultry and especially those involved in depopulation of infected flocks. Concurrently seasonal vaccination against prevailing human influenza strains should be encouraged to avert possible recombinant events

• Live bird markets are a danger to human and poultry populations with respect to zoonotic infection. Only a few benefit but the entire population bears the risk of mutation of avian viruses that may have potential catastrophic outcomes.

• Dismissal of critical staff engaged in planning or executing control measures, laboratory diagnosis or applied epidemiological investigations should be reversed. Recent Federal personnel action in health agencies has been analogous to throwing out the baby with the bathwater!