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New publication describes the vesicular disease outbreaks of Seneca Valley virus in England in 2022

Published in Emerging Infectious Diseases, a research letter describes the first detection of Seneca Valley virus (SVV) in England, with cases identified across five outdoor pig farms between June and September 2022. The work was a collaboration between The Pirbright…

Ten years rinderpest free

Ten years on: Celebrating the eradication of rinderpest

Today the world celebrates ten years since rinderpest virus was officially declared eradicated on 25 May 2011 by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). This achievement particularly resonates with the goals and history of The Pirbright Institute, whose staff both…

Bat

Scientists find a new way coronaviruses can get into human cells

An international team of researchers has identified an East African bat coronavirus capable of entering human cells. Whilst the virus - Cardioderma cor coronavirus (CcCoV) KY43, or CcCoV-KY43 - can bind to a cell receptor found in the human lung, preliminary testing in Kenya…

A black outline of a pig on a background that shows red ASF virus particles

Pirbright twins with Philippines to improve African swine fever control

On 10 June 2021, experts at The Pirbright Institute kicked off a new World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) twinning project with the Animal Disease Diagnosis and Reference Laboratory, part of the Bureau of Animal Industry’s Veterinary Laboratory Division (BAI- VLD-…

A diagram showing how a yellow tetramer with a green virus segment attached to each of its four arms is able to be recognised by a blue T cell.

Pirbright scientists use ‘molecular magnets’ to discover FMD virus segments that could improve vaccine effectiveness

Recent research from The Pirbright Institute has revealed new parts of the foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) that stimulate an immune response, which could be used to inform the design of improved vaccines. They also discovered that specific immune cells were present in…

Plowright building

New Animal Vaccine Manufacturing and Innovation Centre to be established at Pirbright

A landmark global health declaration by G7 leaders, which was agreed at the G7 meeting in Carbis Bay, includes a commitment to ensure that the global devastation caused by COVID-19 is never repeated and the creation of a new centre to develop vaccines to prevent zoonotic…

a vaccine vial on blue background with overlayed text saying 'One health vaccinology, the key to preventing future pandemics?

Pirbright collaboration illuminates path to preventing future pandemics through ‘One Health vaccinology’

The COVID-19 pandemic has provided yet another stark reminder that more than 70 percent of human infectious diseases emerge from animal populations. It has further emphasised the need for a more holistic approach to developing vaccines and treatments that could improve the…

Midge enclosure at the Tiny Giants exhibit

Pirbright midges featured in ZSL London Zoo exhibit

Scientists at The Pirbright Institute have worked with the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) London Zoo to showcase the importance of Culicoides biting midges within the Zoo’s revamped ‘ Tiny Giants’ exhibit. The exhibit shines a spotlight on the planet’s smallest animals…

The surface of SARS-CoV-2 covered in spike proteins coloured in pink.

Key mutations in Alpha variant enable SARS-CoV-2 to overcome evolutionary weak points

One of the key mutations seen in the ‘Alpha variant’ of SARS-CoV-2 – the deletion of two amino acids, H69/V70 – enables the virus to overcome chinks in its armour as it evolves, say an international team including scientists from The Pirbright Institute. SARS-CoV-2 is a…

Animals in research

Discover how we advance animal welfare through transparency, compassion, and scientific excellence.