Roberts, Laura ChristlAbernethy, D.A. (Darrell)Roberts, David GordonLudynia, KatrinO'Kennedy, Martha MagarethaAbolnik, Celia2024-01-092024-01-092024-01Roberts, L.C., Abernethy, D., Roberts, D.G., Ludynia, K., O'Kennedy, M.M. & Abolnik, C. Vaccination of African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) against high-pathogenicity avian influenza. Veterinary Record 2024, vol. 194, no. 2, art. e3616, pp. 1-5, https://doi.org/10.1002/vetr.3616.0042-4900 (print)2042-7670 (online)10.1002/vetr.3616http://hdl.handle.net/2263/93867DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT : The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.BACKGROUND : 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.en© 2023 The Authors. Veterinary Record published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Veterinary Association. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License.High-pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI)African penguins (Spheniscus demersus)Wild birdsVirus-like particle (VLP)VLP vaccineSDG-03: Good health and well-beingArticle