Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Research begins to develop single-shot Nipah virus vaccine
“Commercial development has been limited as companies fear limited marketability due to the sporadic nature of outbreaks” – Simon Graham.
One-shot vaccine could tackle spread of the zoonotic virus.

An international team of scientists and commercial partners have begun a two-year project to develop a vaccine and companion diagnostic test to protect pigs from Nipah virus (NiV).

Led by The Pirbright Institute, the researchers will look to develop a one-shot bivalent vaccine, building on previous research which developed a two-shot immunisation regime.

The project, which has received funding from the UK government, will also involve researchers from the Friedrich Loeffler Institute in Germany and three UK companies: EnsiliTech, Global Access Diagnostics and BioVacc Consulting.

First discovered in 1999, NiV is a zoonotic virus that is carried by fruit bats and has caused outbreaks among pigs and humans in Southeast Asia. Pigs act as an amplifying host, allowing the virus to spread more easily to humans. The virus is on the World Health Organization’s priority pathogen list.

In humans, NiV can cause fatal encephalitis. An outbreak in Malaysia in 1998-99 resulted in more than 100 people dying and nearly half of the country’s pig population being culled as a control measure. In the past year, there have been fatal human cases in Bangladesh and India.

Simon Graham, who is leading the research, said: “Despite the threat NiV poses, no vaccines are available. Commercial development has been limited as companies fear limited marketability due to the sporadic nature of outbreaks.

“To address this gap, the consortium aims to develop a vaccine for pigs which could be deployed in response to an outbreak situation, or routinely used to reduce the risk of NiV outbreaks occurring.”

Image © Shutterstock

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.