As the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) continues to challenge the U.S. dairy sector, a new research initiative is underway to develop a vaccine aimed at protecting cattle from the virus. The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) and Purdue University have jointly committed $301,562 through a Rapid Outcomes from Agricultural Research (ROAR) grant to accelerate vaccine development efforts.
Initially associated with wild migratory birds and poultry, H5N1 was first identified in U.S. dairy cattle in March 2024. Since then, it has spread across multiple states, raising concerns within both the livestock and public health sectors. Although the virus does not cause high mortality in cattle, it has been linked to reduced milk production and quality—leading to financial losses for producers.
The virus has also recently been detected in humans and a broader range of animal species, highlighting its potential to affect non-avian hosts and underscoring the need for broader protective measures.
Purdue University’s research team, led by Dr. Suresh Mittal, will leverage existing knowledge of influenza A viruses and a bovine adenoviral vaccine platform to design a universal H5N1 vaccine for dairy cows. The project will also evaluate different methods of vaccine administration, including both intranasal and intramuscular delivery. Collaborating on the research are Dr. Rafael Neves, expert in food animal production medicine, and Dr. Ekramy Sayedahmed, poultry medicine specialist, also based at Purdue.
This initiative falls under FFAR’s ROAR program, which provides fast-track funding for research in response to urgent threats to U.S. agriculture. The goal is to offer the dairy industry a viable tool to safeguard animal health and mitigate economic disruptions linked to the ongoing H5N1 outbreaks.
