On March 18, the Director of the Veterinary Bureau (Ministry of Agriculture) of China, Jia Youlang, confirmed that the avian influenza virus has shown signs of mutation, with characteristics that evolve gradually.
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(Photo: AFP) |
Mr. Jia Youlang stated that although the avian influenza virus has mutated, the avian influenza vaccine produced in China “still provides protective effects” for poultry, as confirmed by laboratory test results as well as field trials conducted by the National Avian Influenza Reference Laboratory of China.
In response to concerns that the mutation of the avian influenza virus renders the current vaccine (used for poultry) ineffective and that widespread vaccine use could complicate the avian influenza situation, Mr. Jia Youlang said, “We are closely monitoring the mutation of the avian influenza virus, following common international methods, and are continuously selecting viruses with broader adaptability to formulate vaccines, preparing technically for this.”
Mr. Jia Youlang emphasized that recent opinions from some experts suggesting that vaccinated poultry still carry the avian influenza virus are purely speculative. To date, there is no substantial evidence worldwide to support this claim. According to him, as long as effective immunity is achieved, healthy poultry cannot carry the virus.
