The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) recently published a list of the pathogen families they believe could pose the greatest risk to public health, with the hope that it will help to guide research and development efforts against these potential threats.

The list covers 24 virus and bacteria families that UKHSA believe would be beneficial to focus research on, particularly improving diagnostics, vaccines and treatments. For each group of viruses in their tool, UKHSA provides an estimated risk level—high, moderate, or low—for causing widespread outbreaks or pandemics. These assessments are based on expert opinions within UKHSA, who consider factors like how the pathogens spread and the severity of the diseases they cause.

Across The Pandemic Institute (TPI) partner organisations, research is already being carried out on 11 of the 16 identified virus families, including several that are rated ‘High’ for overall pandemic potential such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), Non-seasonal influenza and Nipah. Many of these viruses require specialist facilities like Containment Level 3 labs, available across the TPI partnership. However, around 28% of the viruses listed need Containment Level 4 (CL4) labs—essential for developing diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines—which are currently lacking in UK academic institutions.

Below, we highlight the research happening across the partnership on some of the priority pathogens.

Zika virus

Viruses in the Flaviviridae family include Zika and Dengue virus, both of which are transmitted by mosquitos. The virus can cause birth defects if infection occurs during pregnancy, and the World Health Organisation declared a 2016 outbreak of the virus in South America a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Work on a Zika vaccine has been ongoing in Liverpool since 2016 and has now completed first human trials. Researchers hope the vaccine will help combat future outbreaks as climate change expands mosquito habitats to include places like the UK, and also that a broad vaccine can be developed to cover the full Flaviviridae family. Read more here.

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever

Researchers at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), supported by funding from the National Institute of Health Care (NIHR) and The Pandemic Institute, have developed the world’s first rapid test for Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF), a deadly tick-borne virus with a fatality rate of up to 40%. Unlike current PCR tests that take days, this new lateral flow test gives fast results at the point of care—crucial for early treatment and outbreak control. CCHF, once limited to Africa, now appears across the Middle East, Balkans, and even parts of Europe. The rapid test was trialled with support from clinicians in Turkey and Iraq, where the disease is most common. Alongside the test, LSTM is also developing new treatments. Together, these innovations could revolutionise how CCHF is diagnosed and managed globally, especially as the disease spreads. Read more here.

MPox

The Pandemic Institute has responded rapidly to the emerging Mpox threat, providing rapid funding support for research, including on the recent more deadly Clade I variant. In 2022 with rising cases worldwide of the Clade II variant, including over 2,000 in the UK, The Pandemic Institute awarded £0.5M to support 11 urgent projects, including research on virus origins, transmission, rapid diagnostics, immunity, drug treatments, and stigma around the disease. The response demonstrated the value of having flexible funding and an agile organisation such as The Pandemic Institute ready to rapidly address emerging infection challenges. Read more here.

Oropouche

The Oropouche virus is spread by mosquitos and biting midges, causes fever, headaches, and muscle pain, and has led to large outbreaks in South America with imported cases also reported in Europe. In response to this emerging infection, The Pandemic Institute, in partnership with the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, launched a rapid response funding call to address key knowledge gaps, including how the virus spreads, disease potential, diagnostics and treatment. Rapid funding calls such as these are important for mobilising and cross-disciplinary expertise to respond quickly, support medical interventions, and inform the public with accurate science.

Professor Tom Solomon Director of The Pandemic Institute says: “The UKHSA’s priority pathogen list is a vital tool for focusing research where it’s needed most. At The Pandemic Institute, we’re already tackling many of the viruses identified as high risk—like Zika, Mpox, and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever—through cutting-edge research and rapid response funding. But to truly stay ahead of future pandemics, investment is needed in the infrastructure and cross-disciplinary expertise needed to accelerate the development of diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines. This includes addressing the critical gap in UK-based Containment Level 4 lab facilities, which are essential for safely studying the world’s most dangerous pathogens.”