In May 2024 the Pirbright Institute announced a partnership with researchers at The Vaccine Group on a project that “sets out to control African swine fever” (ASF). ASF is widely prevalent and presents a “significant threat to domestic swine and wild boar populations”. Although the virus poses food security, economic, and biodiversity challenges, “traditional vaccine methods have proven ineffective”. Thus, the partnership is pursuing “innovative solutions”.
A devastating pig disease
WOAH describes ASF as a “major crisis for the pork industry in recent years”.
“The disease is not only impeding animal health and welfare but also has detrimental impacts on biodiversity and the livelihoods of farmers.”
The “highly contagious” viral disease can reach a mortality rate of 100%. While WOAH suggests that it is “not a danger to human health”, human behaviours “play an important role” as it is highly resistant in the environment, surviving on clothes, other materials, and in pork products.
Although movement restrictions are in place, the virus is spreading “rapidly”. This has damaging effects on “global food security”, causes “substantial economic losses”, and threatens biodiversity and farmer livelihoods. For example, the UK pig and pork export market was valued at over £623 million in 2022. This would “likely be lost in the event of an outbreak”.
Joining forces
Funded by Defra (Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs) and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) within UKRI, the team aims to “revolutionise ASF vaccine development”. It will be led by head of the Pirbright’s African Swine Fever Vaccinology research group, Dr Chris Netherton, and Dr Jeremy Salt (CEO) and Dr Michael Jarvis (CSO) at TVG.
Dr Salt is “excited” that TVG is “joining forces” to tackle “one of the most pressing challenges in swine health”.
“Our expertise in vaccine technology, combined with Pirbright’s groundbreaking research in African swine fever, presents a unique opportunity to make a real difference in the fight against this devastating disease.”
Dr Salt is “committed” to developing “innovative solutions that will benefit both animals and communities globally”.
We look forward to welcoming Dr Salt to the Congress in Barcelona this year to Chair our One Health and Veterinary Vaccines track; you can learn more about the content by downloading our preliminary agenda here or get your tickets to join us here. Don’t forget to subscribe for more global health and vaccine development insights.
