Minnesota Ag Connection - BOAH: Contingency Plan for Pullorum Antigen Shortage

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BOAH: Contingency Plan for Pullorum Antigen Shortage
Minnesota Ag Connection - 09/29/2020

The Salmonella Pullorum plate antigen used to test poultry in the field using the Rapid Whole Blood Test (RWBT) for Pullorum-Typhoid disease (P-T) has been in short supply since Spring 2019. The Minnesota Board of Animal Health (BOAH) is concerned that its current supply of antigen will not last until more antigen becomes readily available. As a result, the Board has developed a contingency plan that factors in the requirements needed to maintain Minnesota's P-T Clean State status.

The following guidelines will be used for annual breeder flock and sale/exhibition pullorum-typhoid testing:

- Authorized Poultry Testing Agents (APTA's) that have antigen that expired 4/28/2019 are allowed to use this antigen for breeder flock or sale/exhibition testing if they call the Minnesota Poultry Testing Laboratory (MPTL) for approval before use.

- The limited supply of the new Charles River Laboratories antigen available at the MPTL will be reserved for community sale and exhibition testing. Please remember, NPIP permitted hatcheries do not need to retest birds prior to sale or exhibition. The hatchery permit card provides proof that the birds are part of the Board's P-T Clean program.

- NPIP permitted hatcheries that are due for an Annual Breeder Flock test and do not have antigen should contact the MPTL for further direction. As part of the Board's continency plan, we will be requesting that blood samples be collected, and the serum submitted to the MPTL for P-T testing. Board representatives will be available to assist with the collection of samples. All birds sampled must be identified with a leg or wing band.

As much as we hoped we would be able to maintain a supply of Pullorum antigen that would be available for all our Minnesota APTAs, we are fully expecting that our supply will run out before we are able to obtain new lots of antigen. We understand this news is disappointing and creates another layer of uncertainty during these already difficult times. At this time, we do not plan to waive any of the requirements and will work with individuals to determine other options for testing. However, this is a very fluid situation that may change at any time. Updated information will be posted on the Board poultry website.

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