Re: Response from Ft Dodge re: Horse Vaccine Efficacy

<x-charset iso-8859-1>I know the USDA keeps a very tight rein on claims made concerning any
vaccines efficacy (as they should) but are you also saying they suppress the
release of a scientific paper, that you would prevented from publishing
challenge study results, such as those that will be presented on September
15th - or is it just that you have to watch what conclusions you state or
infer from the data? Information on the efficacy of the CDC's DNA Plasmid
challenge study and Acambis' chimera WNV vaccine that is still in
development are public knowledge.

I wanted to post the abstract of the challenge study findings that was put
on the ECN list yesterday but didn't know if that would be allowed and
hadn't gotten around to asking yet so I'll ask you now. Can you post that
abstract to this list as well?

Eleanor Kellon, V.M.D.

----- Original Message -----
From: Environmental Risk Analysis Program <envrisk@cornell.edu>
To: WESTNILEVIRUS-L <WESTNILEVIRUS-L@cornell.edu>
Cc: <rkeene@fdah.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 12, 2002 1:25 PM
Subject: Response from Ft Dodge re: Horse Vaccine Efficacy

>
> --- begin forwarded text
>
> Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 09:15:36 -0500
> From: "Robert Keene" <rkeene@fdah.com>
> To: <ETHDVM@aol.com>, <WESTNILEVIRUS-L@cornell.edu>, <kell@epix.net>
> Subject: Re: WNV in horses
>
> You never know where e-mails end up! I know people may be frustrated
> with the company. Did you ever think that we answer to a higher
> power? The USDA is in the driver seat with all information released
> regarding the WNV vaccine, not the company. Adjust you frustration
> accordingly!
> The lack of efficacy reported to the company whether properly
> vaccinated or not(two doses 3 weeks apart) is around 6 cases per
> million doses used. If you need any additional information please let
> me know-Rob
>
> Rob Keene DVM
> Equine Field Services
> Fort Dodge Animal Health
> cell 801-231-5752
>
> >>> "Eleanor Kellon VMD" <kell@epix.net> 09/09/02 05:59PM >>>
> The state of Florida is keeping statistics on number of cases in
vaccinated
> horses, as well as whether they have received only one dose or both, and
the
> dates of vaccination compared to date of onset. Data is available for
both
> 2001 (vaccine use started mid to late August) and 2002. Contact Dr.
William
> Jeter at the Tallahassee office, jeterw@doacs.state.fl.us or 850-410-0942.
> Data compiled in 2001, in the face of an active outbreak, showed no
> protection for horses having received one dose of vaccine and disease in
> fully vaccinated horses of about 11% of the all cases in horses from end
> September/early October on. I share your frustration with Ft. Dodge's
> policies.
>
> Eleanor Kellon, V.M.D.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: by way of Lois Levitan <ETHDVM@aol.com>
> To: <WESTNILEVIRUS-L@cornell.edu>
> Sent: Monday, September 09, 2002 2:48 PM
> Subject: WNV in horses
>
>
> >
> > I am an equine veterinarian in NC. We are all concerned about the
> > possibility of WNV in our horses. Also of concern is whether or not
> > the vaccine under conditional license to Ft. Dodge is really
> > effective. I have been frustrated by Ft. Dodge's unwillingness to
> > share with the practitioners out in the field any validation that the
> > vaccine is of benefit. I am constantly told that Ft. Dodge is going
> > to provide the USDA/APHIS offices with results of their controlled
> > studies, but that is the only information I am given.
> >
> > Is there any one out there, in the field, who has been compiling
> > statistics on horses that have been vaccinated and then likely
> > exposed to the virus (such as in barns where some horses became
> > symptomatic with the virus)? I know this way of looking at results
> > would not carry the validity of a controlled study, but it would sure
> > help to know that some horses are apparently receiving some immunity.
> > If you would pass this along to any one who has the same concerns or
> > possibly some answers, I would be very grateful.
> > Thank you
> >
> > Ellen Hoots, DVM
> >
> > (919) 557-0544 fax
> > e-mail neighdr@aol.com
>
>
> --- end forwarded text
>
>
> --
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</x-charset>
Received on Thu Sep 12 19:27:35 2002