BATON ROUGE - An LSU School of Veterinary Medicine research team has received nearly $2 million from the USDA to develop a vaccine to protect poultry against highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1, commonly known as bird flu.

LSU Vet Med said the funding will support research on a vaccine meant to provide earlier, stronger and more practical protection against the virus.

"Highly pathogenic avian influenza continues to pose a serious threat to animal health, the poultry industry and our nation's food supply," Dr. Mariano Carossino said.

The project uses nanobodies to direct vaccine components to immune cells in the intestinal tract. Researchers are designing the vaccine for use before chicks hatch or through drinking water.

Since the outbreak began in 2022, the virus has resulted in the loss of more than 168 million commercial and backyard poultry birds nationwide, the school said.