COMBINED SUBCUTANEOUS VACCINATION OF PIGE ONS AGAINST PARAMYXOVIRUS TYPE-1 AND POXVIRUS - DURATION OF IMMUNITY

This work determines the duration of protection after a single subcuta neous vaccination of Colombovac PMV(R) combined with a live attenuated strain of pigeon poxvirus. Antibodies against pigeon poxvirus and PMV -1 were measured monthly respectively during 9 and 12 months. These te sts indicated a good titre development against these two viruses. Afte r an intravenous challenge with a virulent pigeon poxvirus strain 9 mo nths post vaccination, vaccinated pigeons were significantly more prot ected than control pigeons. Protection was determined by evaluating le sions scores. Vaccinated pigeons were also protected against a challen ge with paramyxovirus-1 twelve months post vaccination, while control pigeons were severely affected. Shedding of virulent PMV-1 after chall enge by vaccinated pigeons was greatly reduced, compared to non-vaccin ated pigeons. Addition of the Poxvirus vaccine to Colombovac PMV(R) th erefore offers protection against poxvirus and paramyxovirus diseases for at least 9 and 12 months post vaccination, respectively.