By Addison DeHaven
In early 2024, a team of researchers in South Dakota State University's Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory was the first to identify a fast-spreading respiratory viral outbreak affecting turkeys and chickens in major poultry-producing regions of the U.S.
Limited or restricted outbreaks of avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) subtype C had occurred previously, but this was the first time subtypes A and B — the two most pathogenic strains of the virus — had been identified in the U.S.
Led by assistant professors Sunil Mor and Tamer Sharafeldin, the team quickly developed assay tests to identify and confirm the virus in flocks. They also immediately began work to develop a vaccine — the primary control method for viral outbreaks in livestock.
Roughly two years after the initial identification, the research team has developed both "live" and "killed" vaccine candidates for aMPV subtype B. Future experimental tests and field trials will confirm the efficacy of the vaccines on subtype A.
"Emerging subtypes A and B are causing huge economic losses to the poultry industry," Mor said. "We are expediting our efforts to provide the first vaccine based on a U.S. field strain that will provide better protection to birds hence will be helpful in sustainability of U.S. poultry production."
Vaccines are categorized into two classes: "live" and "killed." Killed, or inactivated, vaccines consist of the virus' pathogens that have been grown and then killed to destroy its disease-producing capacity. Killed vaccines must be injected, are not suitable for all types of poultry, and are less effective than live vaccines.
Source : sdstate.edu