A vaccine that aims to stop the spread of one of the most common diseases affecting pigs in the UK could be a transformative breakthrough for the industry.

Streptococcus suis is a bacterial infection that can cause severe, often fatal, illness in pigs and can also be transmitted to workers handling them.

Studies indicate that the infection impacts over 60% of pig farms in several European countries, posing significant challenges to both the pork industry and public health.

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Currently, there are no proven vaccines addressing the various strains of the disease in the UK, with infected pigs being treated with a range of antibiotics.

However, with the UK government aiming for a 50% reduction in antibiotic use in livestock by 2030—and the global push to mitigate the risks associated with antimicrobial resistance—there is an urgent need for an effective vaccine.

New trials, conducted in collaboration with animal health company Moredun Scientific, will investigate the vaccine's ability to protect against different and emerging strains of the disease.

The vaccine works by introducing a harmless virus that stimulates the production of proteins which trigger an immune response in pigs.

The research team also intends to work closely with pig farmers to ensure the vaccine aligns with their needs and can be administered in an efficient and cost-effective way.

This project unites experts in vaccine development, antimicrobial resistance, and veterinary medicine from the Vaccine Group, the University of Plymouth, and the University of Cambridge.

The research is supported by a grant of just over £1m from Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme, delivered by Innovate UK.

Dr. Jeremy Salt, CEO of the Vaccine Group, highlighted the significant concern Streptococcus suis presents to pig farmers across the UK. He said: “As a zoonotic infection, there is also the risk of the disease being passed on to humans working in the industry.”

“Our goal in developing an effective vaccine is stop the bacterial infection from developing in pigs and humans in the first place.”

"By doing so, we can better protect the farmers, their animals and their livelihoods."

The project will determine whether a vaccine candidate, already proven effective against the most common strain, can safeguard pigs—and therefore prevent human transmission—against multiple, if not all, known strains.