EN
Although the “stamping-out” policy in combination with movement and trade restrictions of poultry and poultry products are the major methods of avian influenza (AI) eradication, especially its highly pathogenic form (HPAI), vaccination can be considered as a valuable tool in AI control. The international regulations allow for the implementation of vaccination policies with strict provisions. One of the major components of the vaccination program should be “DIVA” (“Detecting Infected from Vaccinated Animals”) strategy. DIVA is a concept allowing the detection of infection in a vaccinated population of animals. It consists of the application of sentinel birds, vaccines and DIVA companion serological tests differentiating post-infection from post-vaccination antibodies. At present, inactivated vaccines are most commonly used, but other vaccines such as recombinant vector or DNA vaccines have also been licensed and utilized. Vaccination against HPAI H5N1 has been used most extensively in Asia, especially in the People’s Republic of China, and to some extent in other parts of the world, including Europe. Countries which have the experience of poultry vaccination to combat AI caused by subtypes other than H5N1 include: Italy (H7N1, H7N3), Mexico (H5N2), USA (numerous subtypes).