Bird flu and other diseases transmitted from animals to humans
The ‘Preventing the next pandemic: zoonotic diseases and how to break the chain of transmission,’ report is a joint effort by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and ILRI. Continue reading
Significant challenges exist in sub-Saharan Africa where vaccination efforts and large-scale campaigns, which focus on rural areas, often have mixed results. In Kenya, the National Rabies Elimination Coordination Committee oversees efforts to eliminate dog-mediated rabies. It is coordinated by the Zoonotic Disease Unit (ZDU) and the ministries of health, and agriculture livestock and fisheries. Continue reading
The CGIAR COVID-19 Hub, coordinated by CGIAR, the world’s largest publicly funded agricultural research network, in collaboration with the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), will bring together the latest science on agriculture and health to inform a research-based response to the pandemic. The Hub will compile relevant work from across the CGIAR system and partners around the world as well as share future breakthroughs and identify opportunities for new research. Continue reading
Nobel Prize winner Peter Doherty addressed the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) at its latest Town Hall meeting Nobel Prize winner in physiology or medicine and ILRI patron Peter Doherty discussed vaccines, herd immunity, and policy responses to COVID-19 with Director General Jimmy Smith at ILRI’s weekly digital town hall meeting on 29 May 2020. … Continue reading
To ensure better and rationalized veterinary service delivery that addresses local needs, the Health of Ethiopian Animals for Rural Development (HEARD) project has established public-private partnership task forces in Ethiopia’s Amhara, Oromia and Somali regions. Continue reading
Veterinarians as well as wildlife biologists, livestock farmers, and zookeepers remain a largely untapped resource for combatting diseases that threaten people. Continue reading
PCR tests can accurately detect viral RNA in an individual only during the acute phase of the infection. After this short window passes, other tests are needed to determine if an individual has ever been exposed to the virus in the past. There is a critical need for these other tests, which detect antibodies made to specific viruses and other pathogens. These ‘serological assays’ complement the PCR test and are an essential tool in better managing the ongoing pandemic. Continue reading
In a spirited and at times defiantly hopeful presentation at the International Livestock Research Institute’s (ILRI) weekly digital town hall meeting on 14 May, David Nabarro, a special envoy to the World Health Organization (WHO) Director General on COVID-19, called the virus causing the disease ‘beastly’ and ‘single-minded’, but said that the pandemic ultimately represents … Continue reading
A new partnership involving the Kenya Ministry of Health and ILRI with support from the German Federal Government was announced today. ILRI will utilize its laboratory facilities and staff to support the expansion of Kenya’s testing capacity for COVID-19. The testing was launched today, 18 May 2020, when the health director and German ambassador visited ILRI’s Kenya facilities. Continue reading
Jimmy Smith, director general of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), holds a weekly town hall for the 600-plus staff of the institute as well as staff from many of ILRI partners who are hosted on ILRI campuses in Nairobi, Addis Ababa and elsewhere. In the town hall last week, Vish Nene, co-leader of ILRI’s Animal and Human Health program, made a short presentation on the latest developments in COVID-19 vaccine work. Excerpts and slides from his virtual presentation follow. Continue reading
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