B/CH/22/01 (B22001): Application to release a genetically modified vaccine against avian influenza for experimental purposes

Submitted 2. November 2022

The current status of the application can be seen at Avian Flu.

Publication in the Federal Law Gazette (BBl):

Bundesblatt: Gesuch um Bewilligung eines Freisetzungsversuchs mit einem gentechnisch veränderten Impfstoff

Applicant: Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office, Institute of Virology and Immunology

Organism: Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)

Property: Replication incompetent vaccine against avian influenza.

Genetic modification:

• Deletion of the gene for the essential VSV G protein, making the virus is replication incompetent;
• Introduction of the gene for the surface protein haemagglutinin (HA) from an avian influenza virus (H5N1).

Purpose of experiment:

• Analysing the effectiveness of the protection the vaccination confers to wild birds against strains of avian influenza virus of subtype H5Nx circulating in the environment;
• Determining any side effects of vaccination;
• Clarifying biosecurity aspects of the vaccination.

Location of experiment:

• Berne Zoo, Tierparkweg 1-3, 3005 Bern
• Basel Zoo, Binningerstrasse 40, 4054 Basel

Duration of experiment: autumn 2023 to autumn 2026

Legal basis:

• Gene Technology Act (GTA)
• Release Ordinance (RO)

Last modification 15.12.2022