Pirbright Institute: Investigating bird flu in cattle, poultry and other mammals11 December 2024 11 December 2024 1 minute read 1 minute read By: By: The Pirbright Institute EuropeThe Pirbright Institute is conducting reactive research into unknown factors behind human cases of bird flu in the US. Traces of the H5N1 virus were first found in pasteurised milk in the US earlier this year, impacting dairy cattle across the US and infecting a small number of dairy workers. Pirbright already leads a substantial programme of bird flu research in the UK. Our aim is to track, monitor and understand the spread of the virus internationally and its underlying drivers. We use biological and biotechnological approaches in animal virology, molecular biology, protein biochemistry, immunology, vaccinology and diagnostics to improve control measures against bird flu.