Influenza A virus causes significant morbidity in swine, resulting in a substantial economic burden. Swine influenza virus also poses threat to public health, a prime example is the recent emerged swine origin H1N1 influenza virus has infected and transmitted in humans. Vaccination is the primary method for the prevention of influenza disease. Live virus vaccines provide superior immunity to that induced by conventional inactivated vaccines. Currently, there are no live vaccines available for swine influenza. The objective of this project is to develop live virus vaccine against swine influenza. We have generated two viruses which are weakened in replication. The weakened form of virus was able to grow in the tissue culture system, thus facilitating production of this virus. When tested in pigs, this virus could infect pigs without causing disease. Hence, this virus is a great candidate to serve as live vaccine. Immune response to this virus and immune protection to other swine influenza virus challenge have been tested.
Contact info: Yan Zhou, Ph.D.
Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization
University of Saskatchewan
120 Veterinary Road Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E3 Canada
Phone: 966-7716
Fax: (306) 966-7478
Email: [email protected]