Can Ostrich Eggs Help Fight Viruses?
Here’s What You Should Know
A small farm in B.C. might be onto something big. Scientists working with Universal Ostrich Farm in Edgewood are using ostrich egg yolks to develop potential antiviral products — and here’s how it works.
Why Ostriches?
Ostriches lay huge eggs — each one equivalent to two dozen chicken eggs — and those eggs are rich in antibodies, specifically a type called IgY. These antibodies are the bird version of what our immune systems use to fight off disease.
What Are IgY Antibodies?
When an ostrich is exposed to a virus (safely, using a vaccine), it produces virus-fighting antibodies. Those antibodies are passed into the egg yolk — where they can be collected and studied.
What Happens Next?
Researchers extract the antibodies from the yolks without harming the animal. These can then be used to create things like:
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Nasal sprays
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Disinfectants
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Antiviral supplements
These products are being tested to see how well they can neutralize viruses like COVID-19 and bird flu.
Why It Matters
This kind of research could lead to low-cost, effective treatments without relying on expensive pharmaceutical manufacturing. That’s why some say the work being done at this ostrich farm could be disruptive — and worth protecting.
Stay informed. Follow Voice of Nanaimo as we track the science, the politics, and the growing public support for innovation that just might ruffle some feathers.
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