Minnesota farmer uses innovate approach to keep flock healthy amid bird flu outbreak
"This has been one of the craziest times because in the past it would come, we'd have it for a few months, and it would go away," Jake Vlaminck, president of the Minnesota Turkey Growers Association, said.
But Vlaminck said he and other turkey farmers have been dealing with H5N1 for three straight years. His family operates Fahlun Farms, which was hit hard by the flu in 2023. That's when he decided to buy a laser to keep away ducks and geese — the main carriers of bird flu.
"We've been able to cut our mortality down in about half, and I want to attribute a lot of that to these lasers," Vlaminck said.
He isn't alone. Over the past two years, Minnesota poultry farmers have installed 100 bird lasers throughout the state. During that time, Vlaminck said the mortality rate for commercial turkeys and chickens dropped from 4 million to 2 million statewide.
Humans can't see the laser during the day, but the birds can. Their eyes pick up a green beam, which causes them to fly away from the turkeys. For people, it's visible at night. He installed his first laser on top of a barn.
Vlaminck's second laser is attached to the top of that windmill tower. Both lasers on his farm cover about 500 feet.
They cross over each other, covering the entire farm. Their sequences vary, so migratory birds don't get used to their patterns. Vlaminck said there's hope a bird flu vaccine will eventually be available, but until then, he'll keep his lasers running, 24/7.
"To me, it's been a big difference. And I've seen results throughout the state," Vlaminck said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Epoch Times
a day ago
- Epoch Times
American Billionaire Says He's Willing to Help BC Ostrich Farm Battle Cull Order If Asked
An American billionaire has stepped forward in support of a B.C. ostrich farm facing the ordered cull of nearly 400 birds after an avian flu outbreak at the farm last winter, offering to help fund the farm's legal battle and calling on Prime Minister Mark Carney to help reverse the decision. John Catsimatidis, a U.S. business magnate, said in a July 30 interview with The Epoch Times that he's willing to contribute financially to Universal Ostrich Farms (UOF), which has launched legal action to stop the cull order, and to rally others to do the same if asked. 'Everybody feels bad for [the farm owners], and we want to do whatever we can do,' Catsimatidis said. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is 'treating [the ostriches] like poultry, and they're not poultry. They're iconic, ancient animals,' he added. UOF, located in Edgewood, B.C., was ordered by the CFIA to cull its flock of ostriches after cases of H5N1 avian flu killed 69 birds last December. The farm has said it opposes the cull order as the remainder of its herd is now immune to H5N1 and is being used for scientific research. Spokesperson Katie Pasitney, the daughter of UOF co-owner Karen Espersen, said the farm is currently about $500,000 in debt, and while she 'was crying' over Catsimatidis's generosity in being open to contributing financially, she doesn't want people to get the impression the farm is financially secure and no longer needs donations.
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Yahoo
Novavax's H5N1 Vaccine Candidate Demonstrates Immunogenicity in Preclinical Study
Peer-reviewed data shows Novavax's H5N1 vaccine candidate demonstrated immunogenicity against currently circulating variants following either single or two-dose administration Potential for single intranasal or intramuscular dose could differentiate Novavax's vaccine as part of pandemic emergency preparedness efforts GAITHERSBURG, Md., July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Novavax, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVAX) today announced preclinical data demonstrating that Novavax's H5N1 avian pandemic influenza vaccine candidate, leveraging Novavax's recombinant, protein-based nanoparticle technology and Matrix-M® adjuvant, induced robust immune responses by either single or two-dose intranasal (IN) or intramuscular (IM) administration in nonhuman primates. Results were published in Nature Communications. "These preclinical results underscore the promise and potential of our pandemic influenza program as well as the strength of our technology platform and our ability to deliver against our corporate growth strategy," said Ruxandra Draghia-Akli, MD, PhD, Executive Vice President and Head of Research and Development, Novavax. "Our R&D pipeline focuses on delivering assets ready for partnership and prioritizing areas of unmet medical need, including vaccines for avian pandemic influenza, where we see clear potential advantages for our technology compared with other vaccines that are licensed or in development." Results showed that a single dose administered by either IN or IM routes induced neutralizing antibody responses (IN: 1:54; IM: 1:1,160), at or above the 1:40 titer generally considered to be a protective antibody response. The data showed even higher levels of immunity after two doses. These data suggest that even a single IN dose has the potential to provide protective immunity in individuals previously exposed to seasonal influenza either by vaccination or infection. Further, data showed Novavax's H5N1 vaccine candidate elicited broad antibody responses, suggesting the potential to protect against forward-drift variants from currently circulating strains of the H5N1 virus. H5N1, a highly pathogenic and dynamic avian pandemic influenza virus, is of concern due to its potential to mutate into a strain adapted for sustained human-to-human transmission. To date, there have been 70 confirmed total reported human cases in the U.S., and one death associated with H5N1 avian pandemic influenza infection.1 As of July 2025, no reported cases in the U.S. have been proven to result from human-to-human transmission. As part of its corporate growth strategy, Novavax is making targeted investments in early-stage development programs to create value. Novavax intends to pursue funding, partnership and licensing opportunities for its H5N1 vaccine candidate. About Novavax Novavax, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVAX) tackles some of the world's most pressing health challenges with its scientific expertise in vaccines and its proven technology platform, including protein-based nanoparticles and its Matrix-M adjuvant. The Company's growth strategy seeks to optimize its existing partnerships and expand access to its proven technology platform via research and development (R&D) innovation, organic portfolio expansion in infectious disease and beyond, and forging new partnerships and collaborations with other companies. Please visit and LinkedIn for more information. Forward-Looking Statements Statements herein relating to the future of Novavax, its operating plans and prospects, its partnerships, and the potential for a single intranasal or intramuscular dose differentiating Novavax's H5N1 vaccine, are forward-looking statements. Novavax cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, challenges pursuing additional partnership opportunities; challenges satisfying, alone or together with partners, various safety, efficacy, and product characterization requirements, including those related to process qualification, assay validation and stability testing, necessary to satisfy applicable regulatory authorities; challenges or delays in conducting clinical trials or studies for its product candidates; challenges or delays in obtaining regulatory authorization for its product candidates, including for future COVID-19 variant strain changes, its CIC vaccine candidate, its stand-alone influenza vaccine candidate or other product candidates; manufacturing, distribution or export delays or challenges; Novavax's substantial dependence on Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd. and Serum Life Sciences Limited for co-formulation and filling Novavax's COVID-19 vaccine and the impact of any delays or disruptions in their operations; difficulty obtaining scarce raw materials and supplies including for its proprietary adjuvant; resource constraints, including human capital and manufacturing capacity; constraints on Novavax's ability to pursue planned regulatory pathways, alone or with partners; challenges in implementing its global restructuring and cost reduction plan; challenges in obtaining commercial adoption and market acceptance of its updated COVID-19 vaccine or any COVID-19 variant strain containing formulation, or for its CIC vaccine candidate and stand-alone influenza vaccine candidate or other product candidates; challenges meeting contractual requirements under agreements with multiple commercial, governmental, and other entities, including requirements to deliver doses that may require Novavax to refund portions of upfront and other payments previously received or result in reduced future payments pursuant to such agreements and challenges in amending or terminating such agreements; challenges related to the seasonality of vaccinations against COVID-19; challenges related to the demand for vaccinations against COVID-19 or influenza; challenges in identifying and successfully pursuing innovation expansion opportunities; Novavax's expectations as to expenses and cash needs may prove not to be correct for reasons such as changes in plans or actual events being different than its assumptions; and those other risk factors identified in the "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of Novavax's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). We caution investors not to place considerable reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this press release. You are encouraged to read our filings with the SEC, available at and for a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date of this document, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any of the statements. Our business is subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, including those referenced above. Investors, potential investors, and others should give careful consideration to these risks and uncertainties. Contacts: Investors Luis Sanay, CFA 240-268-2022 ir@ Media Giovanna Chandler (844) 264-8571 media@ References U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. H5 Bird Flu: Current Situation. 2025. Available at: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Novavax, Inc.
Hamilton Spectator
24-07-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
Microbix Exhibiting & Presenting at ADLM
MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Microbix Biosystems Inc. (TSX: MBX, OTCQX: MBXBF, Microbix®), a life sciences innovator, manufacturer, and exporter, announces that it will be attending, exhibiting, and presenting at the Association for Diagnostic & Laboratory Medicine ('ADLM') conference taking place in Chicago, Illinois July 28 to 31, 2025. At ADLM, Microbix will exhibit alongside leading firms that provide tests to diagnose and direct treatment of many infectious and other diseases. Microbix will thereby showcase its ever-growing portfolio of quality assessment products ('QAPs™') that help ensure the accuracy of antigen and molecular (i.e., 'PCR' or 'NAAT') tests and their workflows. Microbix will also be meeting with many current and prospective clients to determine how best to support their quality management system needs. Also at ADLM, Microbix will present results of a pilot External Quality Assessment (EQA) program enabled by Microbix QAPs. Its poster is titled 'Quality Control Rapid Response in Pre-Pandemic Preparedness Showcasing a Synthetic H5N1 Genetic Template.' which reviews the performance of novel QAPs for answering the critical question of whether pre-existing molecular tests for Influenza A can accurately detect the emerging H5N1 (Bird Flu) pandemic strain. A Microbix customer and collaborator, American Proficiency Institute ('API'), is presenting a related poster titled 'Evaluation of NAAT Recovery of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Clade 2.3.4.4b from Novel Proficiency Samples.' After each poster is presented at ADLM, they will be made available at . The two posters detail the results of work first announced on January 13, 2025, whereby Microbix and API disclosed the creation of QAPs and a pilot proficiency testing program for evaluating the performance of Flu tests in detecting H5N1. As widely reported in the media, H5N1 Flu is a novel variant for which the human population does not have established immunity. Accordingly, H5N1 Flu has pandemic potential, with it having thus far caused severe disease or death in approximately 50% of those persons infected. Microbix gratefully acknowledges the vital role of API in helping to conduct this societally important work. Amer Alagic, Microbix's Director of R&D and lead author of its poster commented, 'Working alongside API, our team is privileged to help answer vital questions concerning the accuracy and usefulness of currently available Flu tests for detecting H5N1. Microbix's novel H5N1 QAPs were created by our team to ensure full genetic coverage of a potential pandemic strain and were made safely under Microbix IP and with cutting-edge synthetic biology techniques. H5N1 QAPs are fully-characterized, accurately-quantified, and are available in liquid and FLOQSwab formats to support both lab-based and point-of-care assays. These Microbix capabilities can be rapidly deployed in response to any emerging pandemic.' Purchase enquiries for these or other Microbix QAPs can be e-mailed to . About Microbix Biosystems Inc. Microbix Biosystems Inc. creates proprietary biological products for human health, with over 120 skilled employees and revenues targeting C$ 2.0 million or more per month. It enables the worldwide commercialization of diagnostic assays by making a wide range of critical ingredients and devices for the global diagnostics industry, notably antigens for immunoassays and its laboratory quality assessment products (QAPs™) that support clinical lab proficiency-testing, enable assay development and validation, or help ensure the quality of clinical diagnostic workflows. Its antigens drive the antibody tests of approximately 100 diagnostics makers, while QAPs are sold to clinical lab accreditation organizations, diagnostics companies, and clinical labs. Microbix QAPs are now available in over 30 countries, supported by a network of international distributors. Microbix is ISO 9001 & 13485 accredited, U.S. FDA registered, Australian TGA registered, Health Canada establishment licensed, and provides IVDR-compliant CE marked products. Microbix also applies its biological expertise and infrastructure to develop other proprietary products and technologies, most notably Kinlytic® urokinase, a biologic thrombolytic drug used to treat blood clots, and reagents or media to support molecular diagnostic testing (e.g., its DxTM™ for patient-sample collection). Microbix is traded on the TSX and OTCQX, and headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Forward-Looking Information This news release includes 'forward-looking information,' as such term is defined in applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, discussion of API, the pilot proficiency testing program, the H5N1 QAPs, or their relevance, Microbix's or others' products or services, business and business results, goals or outlook, risks associated with financial results and stability, development projects such as those referenced in its presentations, regulatory compliance and approvals, access and sales to foreign jurisdictions, engineering and construction, production (including control over costs, quality, quantity or timeliness of delivery), currency exchange rates, maintaining adequate working capital or raising new capital on acceptable terms or at all, and other similar statements about anticipated future events, conditions or results that are not historical facts. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions, and expectations; they are not guarantees of future performance. Microbix cautions that all forward-looking information is inherently uncertain and actual performance may be affected by many material factors, some of which are beyond its control. Accordingly, actual future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions, and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. All statements are made as of the date of this news release and represent Microbix's judgement as of the date of this new release, and it is under no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking information. Please visit or for recent Microbix news and filings. For further information, please contact Microbix at: Copyright © 2025 Microbix Biosystems Inc. Microbix®, DxTM™, Kinlytic®, and QAPs™ are trademarks of Microbix Biosystems Inc. FLOQ® and FLOQSwab® are trademarks of Copan Italia S.p.A. Other companies' names and products are protected by their respective trademarks.
