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Influenza A H5N1 under the microscope

19 January 2026

Scientists show genetic change enabled bird flu to adapt to cattle and other mammals

Study highlights evolution of virus and continued risk of spillover to humans. In 2024, scientists detected an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in dairy cattle in the United States. The virus spread among cattle but also spilled back into poultry, wild birds, other mammals, and…

Female pig in hay inside

16 January 2026

Study shows African Swine Fever rapidly undermines pigs’ immune system

A new study has highlighted the early loss of immune cells in pigs infected with African Swine Fever virus (ASFV). The rapid depletion of immune cells that are key to sensing and controlling infections in infected pigs may explain why vaccines remain elusive and the disease is almost always fatal…

Latest news

Group of six pink pigs on straw

Animal trials underway in quest for African swine fever vaccine

A vaccine candidate for African swine fever (ASF) is undergoing tests at The Pirbright Institute. Developed in partnership between the Institute and The Vaccine Group (TVG), the candidate is being clinically trialled in vaccinated pigs. “Vaccinated pigs will be challenged using a virulent ASF virus…

17 December 2024

Research offers hope for future African swine fever vaccine

Scientists have gained new insights into African swine fever virus (ASFV), a deadly pathogen that causes major losses in global pig farming and threatens global food security. A study, led by The Pirbright Institute and published today in mBio, uses a novel strategy to make a modified live vaccine…

Priscilla Tng

Meet Pirbright’s new BBSRC Fellow

Vaccinology specialist Dr Priscilla Tng is one of 15 promising UK researchers to have been awarded a Fellowship by UK Research and Innovation’s Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). A BBSRC Discovery Fellow in the African Swine Fever Vaccinology group at The Pirbright…

Pioneering partnership to improve swine health

The Pirbright Institute is partnering with researchers at The Vaccine Group (TVG) in Plymouth on a new project that sets out to control African swine fever (ASF). Pirbright researchers are collaborating with TVG to accelerate the development of safe and effective vaccines against the deadly…

African swine fever – what is the current situation?

African swine fever is a highly contagious disease caused by the African swine fever virus. It infects both domestic and wild pigs and has a case fatality rate of up to 100%. There have been outbreaks in Europe in recent years, with the latest near the French border in Germany, bringing this disease…

A pig in straw and a calf running in a field

Pirbright scientists will progress pig and cattle health through two projects worth €3.5 million

Two projects coordinated by researchers at The Pirbright Institute designed to improve pig and cattle health have been successfully fully funded with a total of €3.5 million. The research aims to tackle three important livestock viruses – bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) in cattle, and…

African swine fever virus factory showing virus particles forming in red.

01 February 2021

Stunning images allow Pirbright scientists to unpick the secrets of African swine fever viral replication

Transmission electron microscope image of a viral factory showing new virions amongst dense protein/membrane accumulationsDeveloping effective vaccines and treatments against African swine fever virus (ASFV), which kills up to 100 percent of the pigs it infects, has been difficult owing to the virus…

Female pig in hay inside

Pirbright African swine fever vaccine protects 100% of pigs from developing severe disease

Scientists from The Pirbright Institute are a step closer in the race to develop a vital vaccine for African swine fever (ASF). In their recent trial, published in Vaccines, 100 percent of pigs immunised with the new vaccine survived a lethal dose of ASF virus. ASF causes fever, loss of appetite…

pigs sleeping ASF african swine fever Pirbright

How Pirbright is working to protect our pigs against African swine fever and what you can do to help

African swine fever (ASF) is a deadly disease of pigs and wild boar, it does not affect people. ASF is currently threatening the world’s pig population. Separate outbreaks are decimating pig herds across Africa, Europe and Asia, with official figures from the the Food and Agriculture Organization of…

A cell infected by African swine fever virus

Pirbright study identifies African swine fever virus proteins for vaccine development

Scientists at The Pirbright Institute have identified African swine fever virus (ASFV) proteins that can trigger an immune response in pigs. The team hopes to develop a vaccine using these proteins that is capable of protecting against the deadly disease. Published in Frontiers in Immunology, the…

pig lying in hay pirbright

Pirbright scientists help combat African swine fever - a disease with no vaccine

African swine fever (ASF) continues to spread throughout eastern and central Europe, and China has now recorded its first outbreak. China is home to over half the world’s pig population (around 500 million pigs) so any potential spread throughout China and neighbouring countries would be devastating…