Fort Dodge has announced that a challenge study has demonstrated the ability of Duvaxyn^® IE-T Plus equine influenza vaccine to cross protect against A/equi-2/Sydney/07 (H3N8) two weeks after a two dose primary course.  This strain was responsible for the financially devastating equine influenza outbreak in Australia in August 2007.

Duvaxyn IE-T Plus is an inactivated whole virus equine influenza vaccine, adjuvanted with an aqueous-based adjuvant.  According to Fort Dodge, experts at a recent WHO meeting on human vaccines expressed the view that whole virus vaccines have the potential to induce a stronger and more broadly based response to circulating influenza strains than those contained in sub-unit vaccines because of the presence of the full set of virus proteins in the vaccine*.

The study, conducted by the Animal Health Trust, involved two groups of EIV seronegative horses.  The first group, consisting of seven vaccinates, were given two dose of Duvaxyn IE-T Plus, 28 days apart, and challenged with A/equi-2/Sydney/07 (H3N8) virus strain 14 days after the second vaccination.  The second group of unvaccinated horses was challenged at the same time.  Duvaxyn IE-T Plus caused a statistically significant reduction in both clinical signs of the disease and in viral shedding.

Helen Barnes, EMEA Equine Business Manager for Fort Dodge, said: "The results of this challenge study provide reassurance for owners that horses vaccinated with Duvaxyn will be protected against circulating strains of equine influenza, including the Sydney strain which proved so damaging.

"As the benefits offered by whole virus technology are increasingly recognised, the popularity of vaccines based on this technology is re-emerging, particularly to combat a potential pandemic.

"The entire Duvaxyn range of equine vaccines, including the recently licensed Duvaxyn WNV for West Nile Virus, are based on the whole virus approach as we believe it offers a broad and  consistent level of protection."

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