The Institute for Animal Health exists to advance science and diagnosis that underpins the health of farm
animals and, as a consequence, the prosperity of farmers and allied rural businesses. We are focussed on
diseases caused by viruses. IAH is the UK's Reference Laboratory for
a number of diseases
, including bluetongue. For information on submission of samples for testing for bluetonge, see
this page.
We attend some agricultural shows, not only to discuss the current animal health situation e.g. at the
Royal Show
, but also to interact with families. In 2010 we visited
Jimmy Doherty's Farm
, Ipswich, during National Science and Engineering Week, and the
Moreton-in-Marsh Show , Gloucestershire.
IAH is a member of the Joint Campaign Against Bluetongue
Our scientists have contributed to a number of videos,
available online, that explain the background to
bluetongue in Britain, and the vaccine campaign against it.
Our practical outputs include
- Vaccines
- Diagnostics
- Diagnostic services
- Field investigations
- Advice
It is our fundamental and strategic research with farm animals that leads to these developments.
Vaccine development
We have contributed to the development of vaccines
for cattle e.g. bovine pneumonia, foot-and-mouth disease, rinderpest, and poultry e.g. Marek's disease,
infectious bronchitis, avian pneumovirus, in collaboration with animal health companies. Where a vaccine
does not exist for a given disease, this may be because conventional approaches to vaccine development
have simply not delivered a good enough product. Part of our remit is to do fundamental studies of the
disease agents and the immune responses of farm animals, allied with state-of-the-art technology, to develop
smarter vaccines that work and are safe. It is to the advantage of British farmers that exotic diseases are
better controlled in the parts of the world where they are endemic; defence at a distance. The risk to the
UK is then diminished.
Diagnostics and field investigations
The Institute has developed a broad range of
diagnostic tests
for both endemic and exotic disease agents. We have worked with the farming community to use these tests
to examine current disease situations, by means of field investigations. Examples involving endemic
diseases include Marek's disease, avian leukosis, infectious bronchitis, avian pneumovirus, and astrovirus
and coronavirus associated with scouring in turkeys. Most of these investigations have been supported
financially by vaccine companies and the British Poultry Council, especially the Turkey Sector.
Our Pirbright Laboratory is home to nine
Reference Laboratories
who develop state-of-the-art diagnostics and provide diagnostic services in respect of exotic viruses.
Pirbright has world-renowned expertise which is not only focussed on innovative research and diagnosis
but is also called upon to advise the British Government and various international bodies. A great deal
of effort was directed towards the
bluetongue
outbreak, which commenced in England in late summer 2007.
Our bluetongue experts engage a great deal with British farmers, through meetings (both on and off campus)
and the farming press and other media.