Roberts, Laura ChristlLudynia ,KatrinAbernethy, Darrell2025-02-072025-02-072024Roberts, L.C., Abernethy, D., Roberts, D.G., Ludynia, K., O'Kennedy, M.M. and Abolnik, C., 2024. Vaccination of African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) against high‐pathogenicity avian influenza. Veterinary Record, 194(2), pp.no-no.https://doi.org/10.1002/vetr.3616https://hdl.handle.net/10566/19973Background: High-pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) has become a conservation threat to wild birds. Therefore, suitable vaccine technology and practical application methods require investigation. Methods: Twenty-four African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) were vaccinated with either a conventional inactivated clade 2.3.4.4b H5N8 HPAI whole virus or a tobacco leaf-produced H5 haemagglutinin-based virus-like particle (VLP). Six birds received a second dose of the inactivated vaccine. Antibody responses were assessed and compared by employing haemagglutination inhibition tests. Results: A second dose of inactivated vaccine was required to induce antibody titres above the level required to suppress virus shedding, while a single dose of VLP vaccine produced these levels by day 14, and one bird still had antibodies on day 430. Limitations: Bacterial contamination of the VLP vaccine limited the monitoring period and sample size in that treatment group, and it was not possible to perform a challenge study with field virus. Conclusion: VLP vaccines offer a more practical option than inactivated whole viruses, especially in logistically challenging situations involving wild birds.enHigh-pathogenicity avian influenzaVLP vaccineSpheniscus demersusWild birdsPenguinsArticle