USDA Grants Conditional Approval for New Bird Flu Vaccine Amid Worsening Outbreak

Feb 21, 2025

By India Edwards

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has granted conditional approval for a new bird flu vaccine for poultry. This new avian flu vaccine, developed by New Jersey-based Zoetis, was approved last week after meeting safety and efficacy standards.

"We've been working with the administration and with Congress, and we're very excited today to get the licensure for (the vaccine) in poultry, which we think will be a tool that we will help support the government as they deem necessary," Zoetis' CEO Kristin Peck told CNBC.

Bird flu has devastated poultry farms across the country, causing egg prices to soar.

Since 2022, the virus has affected more than 150 million birds, including 20.5 million in the last 30 days alone.

The U.S. has traditionally handled bird flu outbreaks by slaughtering (culling) infected flocks, rather than vaccination.

But as the virus spreads to other animals, including cattle and even humans, officials are considering new containment strategies.

National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett said Sunday that the Trump administration is finalizing a plan to combat bird flu without mass culling, CNN reported.

"What we need to do is have better ways with biosecurity and medication and so on" to avoid killing chickens, Hassett said. "And so having a smart perimeter is what we're working on, and we're finalizing the ideas about how to do that with the best scientists in government."

So far, 68 bird flu infections have been confirmed in people in the U.S. since March 2024, with one fatal case in Louisiana earlier this year.

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Video: Five Confirmed New World Screwworm Cases Raise Alarm for Livestock and Pet Owners

Pat Hoffmann, Swine Technical Consultant at Elanco Animal Health tells us about the impact of New World Screwworm. The emergence of New World screwworm in the U.S. creates a threat for veterinarians, livestock producers and pet owners that has not been seen north of the Florida Keys since the fly was eradicated from the United States more than 50 years ago. New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) larvae feed on living tissue and can affect a wide range of warm-blooded animals, including livestock, companion animals, wildlife, and even humans.
“New World screwworm could have a devastating impact on animal health, welfare, and producer livelihoods,” said Jeff Simmons, President and CEO, Elanco Animal Health. “We want to thank the FDA, EPA and USDA, for all their work to prepare for this threat. We’re committed to supporting our customers during this challenging time by delivering innovation, scientific expertise, and available resources to help treat New World screwworm and support the health and well-being of animals.”
Elanco is working alongside the U.S. animal health industry to help them fight against this parasite, offering a portfolio of options for pets and livestock that can help treat New World screwworm larvae infestations.