Evaluation of the revision of the inspection standard for the Inactivated Newcastle disease virus vaccine
Bing-Yi Chen
Abstract
All inactivated Newcastle disease virus vaccines （NDV）currently manufactured domestically or imported from abroad must undergo batch testing in accordance with the inactivated Newcastle disease virus vaccine testing standards announced by the Ministry of Agriculture. The purpose of this amendment of the testing standards is to follow the principles of the 3Rs (Reduction, Replacement, and Refinement) in laboratory animals. It was to refer to the inspection standards of the Europe, United States, Japan, the People's Republic of China, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, to conduct the serological test and challenge test of 44 batches of inactivated Newcastle disease virus vaccines including monovalent and multivalent types. The serological test was to calculate the hemagglutination inhibition（HI）antibody titer of the serum which was collected from specific pathogen-free（SPF）chickens vaccinated for two weeks. The challenge test was to calculate the survival rate of chickens which were being collected serum after being challenged with the virulent NDV strain (Sato strain) 2 weeks after immunization. The test results showed that when the Geometric mean of HI antibody titer reached more than 16 times, and the survival rate of chickens challenged with the virulent NDV could reach more than 80%. It was suggested that the serological test can be added to the potency test, and if the requirements can not be satisfied, a challenge test should be conducted. The amendment of the safety test suggested that 1 doses of vaccines should be immunized, and the number of immunized chickens should be reduced from 12 to 10. The results of this amendment of the inspection standard were that the pecentage reduction proportion of chickens tested for each batch of the inactivated NDV vaccine was about 14% and the exemption of the challenge test which was in line with the spirit of reduction and refinement in the scientific use of experimental animals.
Introduction of Global Strategy for the Prevention and Control of High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (2024-2033)
Fan Lee
Abstract
Avian influenza viruses are the viral etiological agents which not only infect avian species but also occasionally infect mammalians including human. The viruses of high pathogenicity to chicken, namely high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) viruses, are transboundary pathogens and their infection is serious and threatens animal and public health, economies, agricultural productivity, and ecosystems. To address the issue of emerging H5 Goose/Guangdong (Gs/GD) Eurasian lineage HPAI viruses, the Global Strategy for the Prevention and Control of H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza was developed by the Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases in 2008. Since then, the viruses have been evolving and spreading. With such a changing context, the Strategy was revised. It covers a ten-year period with a mid-term review to evaluate and update the Strategy.
Attending the World Organisation for Animal Health Regional Workshop on Avian Disease Prevention and Control in Asia and the Pacific 2025 in Japan
Wan-Chen Li
Abstract
The World Organisation for Animal Health held the Regional Seminar on the Prevention and Control of Avian Diseases in the Asia-Pacific Region from August 26 to 28, 2025, in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. The meeting reported the current status of avian diseases worldwide and in the Asia-Pacific region and invited member countries to share their experiences in prevention and surveillance. The seminar introduced the "Global Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (2024–2033)", noting that the severity of recent outbreaks has surpassed previous records, posing significant threats to ecological conservation and public health. This underscores the need to update and strengthen existing control measures. Participants held group discussions and proposed recommendations for implementing the strategies. The meeting also shared experiences regarding the use of highly pathogenic avian influenza vaccines, emphasizing that vaccination should not constitute a trade barrier, and recommending the establishment of appropriate surveillance and risk assessment mechanisms to balance disease control and trade safety. In addition, reference laboratories and expert resources were introduced to assist member countries in enhancing their prevention and control capacities. The meeting concluded with key points: strengthening avian disease information reporting and early warning systems; reviewing and optimizing surveillance systems to improve early detection; promoting cross-sectoral collaboration to realize the One Health approach; and continuously improving farm biosecurity to build a safe and sustainable poultry industry.