Mohammad Riaz, BAU:After years of research, scientists at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) have developed a low-cost vaccine seed to prevent duck plague, a highly contagious viral disease that causes significant losses to duck farmers across Bangladesh.
The research team has developed two vaccine seed, an inactivated (killed) vaccine and a live attenuated (weakened) vaccine. According to the researchers, a single dose is expected to provide protection against duck plague for up to six months. With a booster dose, an entire flock can be protected from infection. The vaccination cost is estimated at only Tk 2 per duck, making it affordable for small-scale and commercial farmers alike.
The vaccine was developed by a team led by Professor Dr. Md. Bahanur Rahman of the Department of Microbiology and Hygiene at BAU.
Prof. Bahanur Rahman said the vaccine development project began on March 7, 2023. The research initially focused on developing a live attenuated vaccine. Later, at the request of the Department of Livestock Services (DLS), the team expanded the project to include inactivated and DNA-based vaccines. While the inactivated vaccine did not produce the expected results, both the DNA and oral vaccine candidates have shown promising outcomes.
Sharing the motivation behind the research, Prof. Bahanur Rahman said he witnessed the devastating impact of duck plague and duck cholera while working in Bangladesh's haor areas. In many farms, despite vaccination against duck cholera and fowl pox, mortality rates ranged from 40 to 100 percent due to duck plague. These experiences convinced us of the urgent need to develop a more effective vaccine. Responding to the long-standing demand of marginal farmers, we initiated this research to help control the disease.
He added that the vaccine is now awaiting field trials. Subject to successful completion of the required regulatory procedures and evaluations, it could be available to farmers within the next one to one-and-a-half years.
Prof. Bahanur Rahman expressed optimism that the vaccine would provide more than 90 percent protection against duck plague. once approved, it could be distributed through the Department of Livestock Services, making a significant contribution to Bangladesh's duck farming sector.
Professor Dr. Md. Shamsul Alam said treatment of ducks infected with the viral disease is extremely difficult, making vaccination the most effective preventive measure. We are optimistic that the vaccine's effectiveness can be further improved in the future by taking into account the evolving nature of the virus .