In a major step toward preventing deadly zoonotic outbreaks, researchers at The Pirbright Institute and international partners have developed and tested three experimental vaccines for Nipah virus (NiV) in pigs—with promising results. The findings could have major implications not only for pig health but also for preventing future global health crises.
Nipah virus, a highly fatal zoonotic disease, is primarily carried by fruit bats and has been known to spill over into pig populations. This dynamic played out with devastating consequences during the 1998–1999 Malaysian outbreak, where nearly half the country’s pig population was culled to prevent human infection. Since then, outbreaks in Bangladesh and India have kept the virus on the global health radar.
Pig-Focused Vaccines, Global Impact
The new study, published in npj Vaccines, evaluated three different vaccine candidates in pigs:
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NiV sG – a soluble glycoprotein vaccine that triggered the strongest neutralizing antibody response.
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NiV mcsF – a stabilized prefusion F protein vaccine that effectively blocked virus spread between cells.
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ChAdOx1 NiV G – an adenovirus-based vaccine platform, similar to the one used in the Oxford COVID-19 vaccine, which induced robust CD8 T-cell responses.
The trials involved both laboratory-controlled immunizations and real-world applications in backyard pig herds in Bangladesh, a known Nipah virus hotspot. All three vaccines were well tolerated by pigs and provided strong immune responses—especially the NiV sG formulation.
One Health, Real-World Implications
“This is a textbook example of a One Health approach,” said Professor Simon Graham, lead author of the study. “By vaccinating pigs against Nipah, we not only protect swine herds but significantly reduce the risk of human spillover events that can be catastrophic for public health and the global economy.”
The study also explored the practicality of administering these vaccines under farm conditions. Responses in field-vaccinated pigs were consistent with those in controlled settings, offering confidence in their future applicability.
Next Steps: Combining Protection
Looking ahead, researchers are exploring the potential to combine the NiV vaccine with a PRRS vaccine into a single dose. This dual-purpose strategy could increase adoption by producers by tackling two major swine health threats with one solution.
The Pirbright team is also developing additional vaccine formats, including DNA-based platforms and monoclonal antibody therapies for broader disease control.
What It Means for the Swine Industry
For producers, a vaccine that protects against Nipah virus would be a significant step in safeguarding swine herds in high-risk regions and maintaining market access. While Nipah is not currently endemic in North America, increased international travel and climate-related bat migration patterns underscore the importance of proactive defense.
This study is a strong reminder that protecting pigs protects people—and that investments in swine health have ripple effects far beyond the barn.
For full study details, visit:
https://www.pirbright.ac.uk/news/nipah-virus-vaccine-study
