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Intervet’s avian flu vaccine licensed for use in European Union

1 September 2006

Intervet’s vaccine is based on a different strain (H5N2) than the current field strain (H5N1). Birds vaccinated with H5N2 form a different set of antibodies than those birds infected with H5N1. These antibodies can be monitored with certain diagnostic tests.

The vaccine based on H5N2 is one in a range of Avian influenza vaccines Intervet has available. The vaccines, containing inactivated virus, have to be injected in order to get full immune response. Intervet is investigating the possibilities for mass application avoiding injection. Research projects on a new vaccine type for mass application are in an early stage.

Since years Intervet has been working with various governments in different parts of the world to advise on outbreak control and management as well as vaccination strategies aimed at bringing the epidemic to a halt. Vaccination can play an important supporting role in controlling an outbreak and should be used alongside quarantining infected farms, eradication of infected or potentially exposed flocks and stringent sanitary measures.

The company’s Nobilis Influenza vaccine range has already been used very successfully namely in Hong Kong, Italy and Vietnam in official governmental avian flu control programs. In Europe it has been used especially for the protection of birds in zoos and in water fowl in France.

As the leading global company in animal vaccines, Intervet has accumulated a wealth of experience in the use of vaccines to deal with outbreaks of highly infectious diseases in all animal species.

The sale and supply of Nobilis Influenza vaccines in Europe is only permitted under strict guidelines set out by the European Community legislation on the control of avian
influenza. Use of the vaccine must be authorised by the competent authority of the EU Member States.

Note for the editor
Intervet, a business unit of Akzo Nobel, based in Boxmeer, the Netherlands, with sales of EUR 1,094 million in 2005, is dedicated to research and development, production and marketing of innovative animal health products. Intervet's product range for use in livestock, companion animals, poultry and fish includes vaccines, antiparasitics, anti-infectives, endocrine products and other pharmaceutical specialties. Intervet operates globally with its own marketing organizations. The company currently employs around 5,000 people.

Internet: www.intervet.com

Akzo Nobel is a Global Fortune 500 company and is listed on both the Euronext Amsterdam and NASDAQ stock exchanges. It is also included on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes and FTSE4Good Index. Based in the Netherlands, we are a multicultural organization serving customers throughout the world with human and animal healthcare products, coatings, and chemicals. We employ around 61,500 people and conduct our activities in four segments - human and animal health, coatings and chemicals - subdivided into 13 business units, with operating subsidiaries in more than 80 countries. Consolidated revenues for 2005 totaled EUR 13.0 billion. The financial results for the third quarter will be published on October 18, 2006.

Internet: www.akzonobel.com

Not for publication - for more information
Sabine Schueller
Communications & Public Affairs
Intervet International bv
communications@intervet.com
Tel: +31 (0)485 587085 
Fax: +31 (0)485 585392