Herd Immunity

[Guest IB]

Herd immunity is not what it may sound like, it’s also from Human Health rather than Animal Health, and here’s as good a description as any I’ve seen of what it is:-

 

Herd immunity (or community immunity) describes a form of immunity that occurs when the vaccination of a significant portion of a population (or herd) provides a measure of protection for individuals who have not developed immunity.[1] Herd immunity theory proposes that, in contagious diseases that are transmitted from individual to individual, chains of infection are likely to be disrupted when large numbers of a population are immune or less susceptible to the disease. The greater the proportion of individuals who are resistant, the smaller the probability that a susceptible individual will come into contact with an infectious individual.[2]

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herd_immunity

 

The reason I raise it for discussion is this advice from the Vets Tips for Fanciers thread:-

 

Very Important

 

Vaccinate ALL your pigeons, not only the racers, but also the breeders and the widowhood hens!

 

http://forum.pigeonbasics.org/topic/44592-vets-tips-for-vanciers/page__pid__640616__st__0entry640616

 

Again, for discussion, : -

 

My opinion is that provided the race team is vaccinated every year, this will also protect the breeders, because according to ‘herd immunity’ the virus will have little chance of gaining a foothold in your loft when more than 90% of the inmates are immune to it through vaccination. [Refer to Wikipeadia link for percentages for several human diseases].

[Blue Chequer Pied]

Unfortunately it is the rules

[THE FIFER]

Stock birds are also going out mixing with others and wild birds,

But still a valid point,.

[Guest IB]

Unfortunately it is the rules

 

I think you've misunderstood my post. The Rule for PM vaccination applies only to racing pigeons which go training or racing, or take part in shows. I'm talking about those which don't, the breeders.

[Blue Chequer Pied]

I think you've misunderstood my post. The Rule for PM vaccination applies only to racing pigeons which go training or racing, or take part in shows. I'm talking about those which don't, the breeders.

 

I see what you are saying but there is also the risk of the non-vaccinated stock catching the disease.

[THE FIFER]

yes think the vets is just giving advice,

[just ask me]

i really cant see any reason not to vaccinate your breeders

 

why take the chance with the best birds that you own in your breeding loft virus are airbourne too not only passed by pigeon to pigeon