UK and India discuss zoonotic disease

Professor Tom Humphrey, from the University’s Institute of Infection and Global Health, has led a delegation of senior UK scientists on a visit to India to discuss collaborations on endemic and zoonotic diseases of chickens, cattle, and pigs.

Universities from England and Scotland, together with the Institute of Animal Health, the Royal Veterinary College and Genesis Faraday, aimed to identify key areas of research in the UK and India that supported future priorities for livestock health and disease work.

Hosted by the National Institute of Immunology in Delhi, the meeting focused on outlining key areas of strength in animal health and disease research across the UK and India, as well as how scientists could work together to better improve interventions, treatments, and welfare of livestock animals in both countries.

Professor Humphrey is currently working with all major UK food retailers to reduce bacterial infections in chickens and decrease incidences of food poisoning in humans. The project focuses on control mechanisms to reduce Campylobacter infection in farmed broiler chickens.

Professor Humphrey said: “India and the UK have many research priorities in common and we wanted to explore what our key strengths were so that we could look to working more closely together in the future. It was a very productive meeting and a great opportunity to meet scientists and share ideas.

“We have identified key priorities in genetics of host disease resistance, pathogen biology, and diagnostic tools. We will also look to work together on aspects of epidemiology and vaccines.”

The meeting, which was funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Research Council (BBSRC), UK, and the Department of Biotechnology, India, resulted in a call for collaborative research applications later this year.