Two Candidates for Vaccine Master Seed, Found Through Research

Jakarta, Kompas – Indonesia in collaboration with OIE and FAO through the OFFLU Project had found two virus groups which could be strong candidates for vaccine master seeds. These virus groups will also be candidates for challenge tests to determine the protection level of vaccines. Ad interim Animal Health Director, Turni Rusli, – whom is also Director of Veterinary Public Health from the Directorate General of Livestock, Ministry of Agriculture – on Friday (9/1) in Jakarta revealed that these two strong candidates were acquired after the government in collaboration with the World Animal Health Organization (OIE) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) had conducted mapping of vaccine types since April 2008.

“From the mapping process, we look for isolates and then matched them up in the laboratory. The matching process took a long time because laboratory facilities were limited,” he said.
Previously, there was high pressure on the government to finish AI mapping in Indonesia from many groups. One person among the lot was, Soehaji, member of the Indonesian Veterinary Watch who was also former Director General of Livestock.
According to Soehaji, management of AI in Indonesia didn’t have to be such a big issue. What’s most important is we have the ability to identify viruses and could find the right vaccine to prevent further spread. “The most important thing in managing diseases is preventing disease transmission between animals and from animal to human,” he said.
Turni said that besides searching for vaccines for Indonesia’s master seed, OIE and FAO are also gathering vaccines from other countries.
After vaccine candidates are decided as vaccines, the next step is to produce the vaccines. Further on, all existing vaccines are to be replaced by the more protective vaccines. In relation to virus mutation, the usage time of the vaccines hasn’t been yet determined. For comparison, WHO updates influenza virus vaccines every six months. “The OFFLU Project (collaboration of OIE and FAO for influenza) will be the basis for technology transfer,” he said. OFFLU Project ends in October 2009.
Executive officer of the Animal Health Director, Agus Wiyono, corrected his previous statement – avian influenza vaccines are still effective. According to Agus, currently it is not yet effective. That is why Indonesia collaborates with OIE and FAO to find vaccine master seeds.
Meanwhile, citizens of Kalipang village in Rembang subdistrict, Rembang district, Central Java, are worried that avian influenza might have struck their chickens. Within a week, 41 chickens had died overnight.
The chickens were owned by citizens in RT 03 RW 04. In December 2008, 15 chickens owned by a citizen of RT 01 RW 04 also suddenly died. They had thrown away the dead chickens into the sea.
A citizen said, the dead chickens had red swollen eyes, with nasal discharge and bluish combs. (MAS/HEN)
Source : Kompas [edited]