News
IRC Side Event at OIE 87th GS: Accelerating the delivery of animal disease control tools through global research coordination and collaboration
A side event was held at the 87th General Session of the OIE on 29 May to promote the activities of the STAR-IDAZ IRC and engage with potential new partners. Attendees from non-member countries including Iran, Chile, South Korea, Uruguay and Switzerland as well as the veterinary pharmaceutical companies Elanco and Merck joined representatives from […]
Project aims to develop African swine fever antivirals
The Pirbright Institute has announced that it will partner with the Belgian biotechnology company ViroVet to develop the first antiviral drugs that act against African swine fever virus (ASFV). In the absence of a vaccine, antiviral drugs could provide an alternative control method which would help limit clinical signs in pigs and lower virus replication. […]
Model identifies hotspots for lumpy skin disease
Researchers have combined two computer models to identify areas at highest risk for outbreaks of Lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) in cattle. The models could help officials determine where to send resources ahead of outbreaks and serve as a potential early warning system for cattle farmers in affected areas. Although LSDV is endemic to Africa, […]
Infectious bronchitis vaccines: study highlights the need for targeted genetic modification of viruses
Scientists at The Pirbright Institute have shown that Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) vaccines produced in eggs have unpredictable mutations which may be prone to reversion in the field. Live attenuated vaccines, where IBV is weakened so that it causes less severe or no disease, are used in the field as they offer better protection compared […]
ASFV vaccine candidate tested in wild boar
An article published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science describes the experimental vaccination of wild boar against African swine fever virus (ASFV). Oral immunization of wild boar with a non-haemadsorbing, attenuated ASFV of genotype II conferred 92% protection against challenge with a virulent ASF virus isolate (Arm07). “African swine fever is of enormous concern to the […]
Strategies to increase adoption of animal vaccines by smallholder farmers
An article in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases outlines strategies that can be used to increase the adoption of animal vaccines by smallholder farmers in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, with focus on the control of neglected tropical diseases, particularly neglected zoonotic diseases (NZDs). The authors – Meritxell Donadeu, Nick Nwankpa, Bernadette Abela-Ridder and Baptiste Dungu […]
Chicken antiviral proteins: study of genetic variation across breeds
A collaborative study led by The Pirbright Institute and Imperial College London has identified variations in the genes of chicken antiviral proteins called interferon-induced transmembrane proteins (IFITMs) which could have an impact on their ability to fight viral infections. This is the first study to look at the natural genetic variation of IFITM genes across […]
Marek’s disease: researchers find fat is crucial for virus infection
Scientists at The Pirbright Institute have demonstrated that production and storage of fat is required for Marek’s disease virus (MDV) replication in chickens. Their research identifies new pathways that are involved in the development of the disease; they hope their findings will lead to control strategies to reduce virus spread. Marek’s disease is a major […]
OIE Global Conference on Aquatic Animal Health: collaboration key to overcoming challenges
More than 250 people representing 90 countries participated in the OIE Global Conference on Aquatic Animal Health, which was held in Santiago, Chile, 2 to 4 April 2019. The event highlighted the multiple opportunities for continued growth that the aquaculture sector has available to it and the need for collaboration between decision-makers, aquatic animal health […]
Tripartite Zoonoses Guide published
As global trade and travel expands, zoonotic diseases are increasingly posing concerns worldwide and new health challenges are emerging at the human-animal-environment interface. To face these threats, collaboration, coordination, communication, and concerted action between different sectors are needed, using a multisectoral, One Health approach. However, many countries lack the capacity to implement such collaboration. To […]