Why is Britain conducting bird flu vaccine trials in turkeys?

Britain is conducting bird flu vaccine trials in turkeys to assess vaccine effectiveness and explore new strategies for disease control and trade protection after significant industry losses.

How long will the UK bird flu vaccine trials last?

The UK bird flu vaccine trials in turkeys are expected to span 24 weeks.

Why were turkeys chosen for the bird flu vaccine trials?

Turkeys were chosen because they are highly susceptible to bird flu and outbreaks often cause significant mortality rates among flocks.

How much has bird flu cost the UK government and poultry industry annually?

Bird flu outbreaks have cost Britain's government and poultry industry up to 174 million pounds ($232 million) per year.

Which other countries are also trialing or vaccinating for bird flu?

France, the Netherlands, and the United States are also running bird flu vaccine trials or vaccinations, with France vaccinating farm ducks nationwide since 2023.

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Finance

Britain Launches Bird Flu Vaccine Trials in Turkeys

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®

Posted on March 5, 2026

2 min read

Last updated: April 1, 2026

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UK Launches Targeted Bird Flu Vaccine Trials

LONDON, March 5 (Reuters) - Britain has begun targeted bird flu vaccine trials in turkeys, the government said on Thursday, marking a shift in its approach to controlling the disease that has ravaged flocks and pushed some countries to adopt the technique to help reduce losses.

Impact of Bird Flu on Poultry Industry and Food Security

The spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly called bird flu, is a concern for governments and the poultry industry due to the devastation it can cause to flocks, its impact on food prices and a risk of a new pandemic.

Challenges with Vaccination Strategies

Concerns over vaccination masking the spread of the virus and jeopardising exports have led major poultry producers worldwide to largely resist the strategy.

Details of the UK Vaccine Trials

The UK trials, expected to span 24 weeks, aim to assess the effectiveness of authorized vaccines in field conditions and evaluate how surveillance mechanisms can protect trade, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) said in a statement.

Economic Impact of Bird Flu in Britain

Bird flu outbreaks have cost Britain's government and the poultry industry up to 174 million pounds ($232 million) per year, DEFRA said.

Why Turkeys Were Chosen for Trials

Turkeys were selected for the trials due to their high susceptibility to the virus, with outbreaks often causing significant mortality rates.

International Approaches to Bird Flu Vaccination

France's Nationwide Vaccination Policy

France has been vaccinating farm ducks against bird flu since 2023, making it the first major poultry exporter to do so nationwide. It has credited the policy with curbing the disease.

Other Countries' Vaccine Trials

The Netherlands and the United States are also running vaccine trials, with the U.S. assessing how any use of vaccination could affect poultry exports.

Reporting and Editing

(Reporting by Nigel Hunt and Sybille de La Hamaide, Editing by Louise Heavens)