On October 14^th 2025, HIPRA Malaysia successfully held the HIPRA Poultry Health Symposium in Kuala Lumpur, bringing together 103 poultry producers and veterinarians from across the country. The event focused on two major health challenges in poultry production: coccidiosis and Avian Metapneumovirus (aMPV).

Coccidiosis remains one of the most significant challenges affecting poultry productivity in Malaysia. Despite its impact, vaccine adoption in the country is still limited. The transition from anticoccidial drug dependency to vaccination is vital, not only for improving productivity and reducing antimicrobial resistance, but also to address public health concerns related to drug residues. This movement is in line with the One Health approach championed by the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Malaysia, recognizing the interconnectedness of animal, human, and environmental health.

Avian Metapneumovirus (aMPV) infections have also been gaining increasing attention among poultry producers. The symposium provided a platform to share the latest updates on Swollen Head Disease and its preventive strategies.  

The event opened with a welcome address by Eric Xifra Ferrer, Corporate Finance and Administration Manager at HIPRA, who reaffirmed HIPRA’s commitment to advancing animal health through innovation.

YBHG. Dato’ Dr. Ahmad Shafri bin Hassan, Senior Director of the Livestock Industry Development Division, Department of Veterinary Services Malaysia, delivered the officiating speech, highlighting the national concerns surrounding antimicrobial resistance and the critical need for prudent antimicrobial use. He also underscored the importance of adopting vaccine-based solutions, particularly attenuated vaccines for coccidiosis prevention, as part of the shared responsibility of all stakeholders within the One Health framework.

Dr. Siti Hajar Nor binti Muhammad, Senior Assistant Director of the Disease Control and Veterinary Biosecurity Division, DVS Malaysia, presented the government’s policies on antimicrobial stewardship and emphasized enhanced farm biosecurity practices.

From left to right: Dr. Siti Hajar, Mr Eric, Prof. Wongi Min, Dato. Dr Ahmad Shafri, Dr. Ong Shyong Wey, Prof. Kim WooHyun and Mr. Timothy Nam.

The scientific session commenced with Professor Wongi Min from the College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, who discussed the prevalence of coccidiosis, cases of anticoccidial drug resistance, and the significance of adopting attenuated vaccines as a preventive measure. Followed by Professor Dr. WooHyun Kim from the same institution, who reinforced the urgency of addressing drug resistance and shared updates on current research exploring vaccine-based alternatives for sustainable coccidiosis control. The morning sessions concluded with an engaging Q&A session.

In the afternoon, Dr. Ivy Ling, Technical Services at HIPRA, offered a presentation on “Coccidiosis Control Reinvented: EVALON and EVANT as the Future of Prevention”, while Dr. Ong Shyong Wey, Technical Services Manager HIPRA, delivered an insightful session on “Avian Metapneumovirus: Emerging Challenges and Modern Prevention Strategies.” Both sessions generated active participation and numerous questions from the audience, reflecting strong engagement and interest from industry professionals.

The event successfully strengthened partnerships among government authorities, academia, and the poultry industry, reinforcing HIPRA’s commitment to innovating for animal health and advancing sustainable poultry production in Malaysia.