Nearly 17 years of Avian Influenza (AI) disease “entrenched” in Indonesia, namely since August 2003 until now Indonesia cannot be said to be AI free. Until now, we know two types of Avian Influenza that attack poultry, namely High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) which is malignant and Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza (LPAI) which is not malignant. These two types of AI both cause losses, the HPAI we know so far is the H5N1 subtype Avian Influenza which causes high mortality in poultry, while the other type classified as LPAI circulating in Indonesia is the H9N2 subtype. LPAI said because a single attack by this type of AI did not cause high mortality but caused a significant decrease in production.
The losses that arise in Avian Influenza cases are due to the high morbidity and mortality rates in H5N1 cases as well as a significant decrease in egg production in H9N2, mass depopulation of poultry (stamping out) and increased costs for supportive treatment, sanitation, and disinfection of the pen area, water and livestock equipment.
Medion as a poultry vaccine producer in Indonesia, has been developing AI vaccines since 2004 and continues to evaluate and update the quality of its products. Avian Influenza viruses are prone to mutations, divided into several subtypes based on the antigenicity of the two surface proteins, namely hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). Until 2012, 16 HA (H1-H15) subtypes and 9 NA (N1-N9) subtypes were identified in poultry. HA protein is an important part of the virus to attach to the body of the chicken, while the NA protein is related to the ability of the virus to release virions (multiplication results) from the host cell. The nature of the AI virus, which does not have proof-reading properties, causes mutations.
With the mutation nature of the AI virus, every AI vaccine manufacturer regularly monitors the development of the AI virus, one of which is the AI mapping system in Indonesia. Virus mapping is a method for managing overall information through a map of virus changes in the form of branches poured directly into written or image media. To detect changes in the AI virus, Medion has a complete and adequate biomolecular laboratory facility at the Service and Animal Testing (LAT) Laboratory Unit.
The stages of making AI vaccines begin with characterizing and mapping the AI virus, continuing with the selection of candidate seeds through in vitro and in vivo animal research. One of the in vitro tests is the biomolecular test for the characterization of the AI virus, while the in vivo test is a test of potency and safety (candidate seeds, formulas, and products) in experimental animals. Animal research AI by conducting cross protection tests between AI viruses with the challenge method. Until now, the gold standard of testing for AI vaccines in poultry has been deemed effective by direct challenge testing of target animals. The results of the cross protection test combined with the cross immunity test were analyzed as a whole with the results of the biomolecular test, this would support the determination of the AI vaccine master seed.
The importance of animal research in the development of the AI virus is supported by animal laboratory facilities that meet the Animal Biosafety Level 3 requirements in Animal Testing LAT. Even the tested animals used met the specific pathogen free (SPF) requirements free of fifteen kinds of poultry diseases. Animal research cages must also meet the requirements, the building is far from non SPF cages, to minimize contamination. Buildings are equipped with insulators or in buildings with negative pressure air filters. The construction of the building is made in such a way as to avoid the entry of rodents, wild birds, insects and outsiders who are not cage officers.
Animal research cage operators in BSL 3, before entering the building, they should not come into contact with other chickens or with disease agents outside the test, there is a fear of mutual contamination between tests. The cage operator must take a shower and change outer clothing to sterile clothes before entering the room in the building. All items that will enter the building must be sterile, likewise chicken feed should be sterilized. Drinking water is flowed through an automatic pipe that has been filtered and irradiated with UV. The importance of the engineering team in the existence of an animal biosafety level building is needed, especially for controlling and monitoring cage air pressure, feed sterilization systems and drinking water.
With adequate housing facilities, competent experts and the support of a team of engineering technicians, Avian influenza vaccine research can be carried out smoothly. Quality products are maintained and humans are safe from the dangers of viral pathogens.