Henipaviruses are a family of enveloped, single-stranded RNA viruses that have the potential to create novel viruses with pandemic possibilities. There are currently no vaccines, something which a new research programme supported by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) seeks to address.
The research aims to develop a vaccine that provides cross-protection against the whole genus, addressing outbreaks, and enhancing pandemic preparedness. It is a collaboration between UKHSA and The Pirbright Institute and has been funded by the Medical Research Council.
The most well-known henipavirus is the Nipah virus, which can be transmitted to humans from animals and can cause a range of symptoms including severe respiratory illness and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). The virus poses a current and future threat to global health because the infection has a high fatality rate and there are no licensed vaccines or treatments at present.
Nipah virus is also on the World Health Organization’s priority pathogen list – a group of pathogens causing infectious diseases that have pandemic potential. Recent cases and outbreaks have predominantly been detected in Bangladesh and India.
Scientists at UKHSA will use a model of Nipah virus disease, which mimics the infection in humans, to evaluate vaccines developed by The Pirbright Institute to determine their protective effects.
This study will deepen our understanding of henipaviruses and make significant progress in our efforts to protect health from this current and future global health threat. The work will also make a vital contribution to the 100 Days Mission – an important initiative to make sure the world is better prepared for the next pandemic by accelerating the development of diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines.
Professor Isabel Oliver, Chief Scientific Officer, UKHSA
The current WHO list of pathogens with epidemic and PHEIC potential:
- COVID-19
- Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever
- Ebola virus disease and Marburg virus disease
- Lassa fever
- Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
- Nipah and henipaviral diseases
- Rift Valley fever
- Zika
- Disease X: Disease X represents the knowledge that a serious international epidemic could be caused by a pathogen currently unknown to cause human disease.
This list is currently under review with an update expected from WHO in the first half of 2024.
