Effective Vaccination Strategies Against Gumboro Virus UK2019 in Poultry

Vaccinating against the Gumboro virus has been a current topic of attention in recent years, especially due to the arrival of the Gumboro UK2019 field virus variant. To protect the chicks against Gumboro disease, vaccination can be done via drinking water or in-ovo in the hatchery. HIPRA has used a screening, in collaboration with poultry veterinarians and companies, to map out the effectiveness of vaccination strategies.

Choice of drinking water vaccination

When choosing drinking water vaccination, it is advisable to determine the optimal vaccination moment. The grafting date calculation is a valuable tool, taking into account maternal antibodies, genetic background of the chickens and the specific vaccine strain. In this way it is possible to draw up a grafting schedule. To obtain protection against the Gumboro UK2019 field virus variant, a drinking water vaccination with an intermediate plus vaccine appears to be a good option1. Click for the points of attention for drinking water vaccination here and download the tips.

Choice of vaccination in the hatchery

In the Benelux we see that in-ovo vaccination at the hatchery is gaining popularity, especially due to the arrival of the new reassortant strain UK2019. This strain differs from the traditional acute form of Gumboro disease. The consequences of this UK2019 strain include reduced growth, disrupted digestion, a slight increase in mortality and immune suppression. By vaccinating in-ovo in the hatchery, the egg is vaccinated individually, quickly and accurately. There are several Gumboro vaccines on the market that can be used in-ovo, with the immune complex vaccines proving to provide broad protection against the Gumboro UK2019 field virus variant1.

Screening and results

From June 2020 to May 2024, 344 flocks were analyzed on poultry farms. Various veterinary practices in the Benelux selected the companies and collected bursa samples from vaccinated animals. The samples were examined with a PCR test, followed by typing for positive results. In this way it could be determined which strain was present on the company: vaccine strain, field strain or both.

The screening showed that in 94.87% of the companies with a field strain, the isolated strain was related to the UK2019 strain. This makes this strain dominant in the Benelux, with a dominance of 98.7% in Belgium. A total of 52.61% of farms tested positive for a field strain of Gumboro despite vaccination, while 34.59% tested positive for the vaccine strain only. PCR results were negative in 9.88% of farms. There are also major differences between the different vaccine types1:

Conclusion

This screening provides valuable insights into the dynamics of Gumboro in the Benelux, especially with regard to the emergence of the UK2019 variant. Despite a high vaccination rate, the results show that there is a significant prevalence of field strains. The results of this screening emphasize the importance of continuous monitoring, adjustment of vaccination strategies and further research to limit the impact of new variants on poultry health. These findings have implications for the poultry sector in the Benelux and beyond, and will contribute to improving IBDV vaccination programs. The intermediate plus vaccines, especially when in the form of immune complex vaccines, appear to be a good option for controlling the spread of Gumboro field virus on poultry farms.

If you would like to know more about the Gumboro virus or if you have any questions about preventive protection at your company, please feel free to contact the HIPRA poultry veterinarians: Pieter Kuhne [phone] or Patrick de Jong [phone].

Reference:

1 Poster European Conference Poultry Valencia 2024 – Efficacy of different infectious bursal disease vaccins agianst the current IBDV circulating strains in the Benelux area.

Vaccinating Against the Gumboro Virus: A Comedy of Innoculation

Now, let’s dive into something that sounds like it belongs in the plot of a Hogwarts adventure: the Gumboro virus! It’s taken a stroll into the UK, brandishing a little something called the UK2019 variant, and suddenly, we’re all attending poultry’s most exclusive vaccination party. I can already hear the flashes of that red carpet–the chicks might be too young to drink, but who says they can’t have a little taste of the good stuff through their drinking water?

The Drinking Water Vaccination Fiasco

When it comes to choosing your vaccination method, you’d think we’re talking about picking a flavor of ice cream! But here’s a kicker: you’ve got to figure out the optimal timing for this shot. It’s all about maternal antibodies, genetic backgrounds, and vaccine strains–it’s like Tinder for chickens, and you want that perfect match. The magical formula? You need to map out a grafting schedule. Because nothing says “I care” like a well-timed vaccination!

And speaking of dates, let’s not forget that drinking water vaccination with an intermediate plus vaccine is like scoring a date with a solid 8. You get to bolster those little ones against the Gumboro UK2019 variant while holding a glass of water and pretending you’re a veterinarian at a fancy cocktail party. What could be more fun?

In-Ovo Vaccination: The Hatchery Hotspot

Now, let’s shimmy over to the hatchery, where in-ovo vaccination is the new black! It’s gaining quite the popularity contest in the Benelux region, especially with the rebellious UK2019 strain crashing the scene, causing chaos like a teenager at a family gathering.

This strain doesn’t play nice, causing reduced growth, digestive disruptions, and a subtle uptick in mortality rates–all the things you’d expect from a bad sitcom about chickens. But worry not! Vaccinating in-ovo means each egg gets treated like royalty—individually, quickly, and accurately. Talk about pampering! With immune complex vaccines waving their magic wands, they provide broad protection against UK2019, too. That’s what we call going above and beyond to protect your poultry pals!

Screening Results: A Poultry Mystery Unraveled

From June 2020 until May 2024, a whopping 344 flocks were analyzed and it turned into a real poultry whodunit! Various veterinary practices in the Benelux took on the case of the mysteriously ill chickens, collecting bursa samples like they were trading cards.

The results? Drumroll, please! In 94.87% of cases where the field strain showed up, it was related to the UK2019 variant. This strain practically dominates the scene, with Belgium sitting pretty at 98.7%. A staggering 52.61% of farms tested positive for a field strain of Gumboro even with vaccination—a bit like getting a “C” in gym class despite all that running. Meanwhile, 34.59% were only positive for the vaccine strain. The irony, folks, the irony!

Conclusion: The Takeaway

So here’s the scoop: this screening has thrown quite the spotlight on Gumboro’s dynamics in the Benelux, particularly with that cheeky UK2019 variant strutting around. Despite the higher vaccination rates, those pesky field strains just refuse to bow out. What does this mean for the future? Continuous monitoring, adjusting vaccination strategies, and some serious research are needed to tackle these new invaders.

For the poultry sector—this is an issue that’s not flying under the radar! With promising results from intermediate plus vaccines, especially the immune complex variety, we might just start to see a decline in Gumboro outbreaks on the farms.

If you’re still scratching your head or just want to learn more about protecting your livestock from this avian intruder, don’t hesitate to ring up the hip, knowledgeable folks at HIPRA! You can get in contact with their poultry veterinarians Pieter Kuhne or Patrick de Jong. Trust me, they’re way more fun than they sound!

Reference:

1 Poster European Conference Poultry Valencia 2024 – Efficacy of different infectious bursal disease vaccines against the current IBDV circulating strains in the Benelux area.