Use of vaccines for the treatment/prevention of the transmission of pathogens
The present invention relates to a method of reducing the transmission of a pathogen from an animal of a first species to an animal of a second species. Specifically, reduction of transmission is accomplished through the administration of antigen of the pathogen such that administration results in the reduction or absence of the reproduction of the pathogen in the animal to which the antigen was administered.
1. A method for reducing the transmission of avian influenza virus comprising administering an antigen of avian influenza virus subtype H5 to a nonhuman mammal, wherein the administration of the antigen of avian influenza virus subtype H5 results in a reduction of the reproduction of avian influenza virus in the non-human mammal, and reduces further transmission of the avian influenza virus to a second species of mammal from the non-human mammal, wherein the antigen of avian influenza virus subtype H5 comprises a modified SEQ ID NO: 4 comprising amino acids 17-568 of SEQ ID NO: 4 lacking the amino-terminal signal peptide.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein modified SEQ ID NO: 4 is an adjuvanted recombinant antigen.
3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the adjuvanted modified recombinant SEQ ID NO: 4 is produced by a recombinant baculovirus.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the non-human mammal is a pig.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second species of mammal is human.