DR. WALTER PLOWRIGHT AWARDED WORLD FOOD PRIZE FOR DEVELOPING ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ANIMAL HEALTH VICTORIES OF THE MODERN AGE
British Veterinarian and Developer of the Rinderpest Vaccine Honored at the Royal Society in London
LONDON -- The World Food Prize, widely referred to as the "Nobel Prize for Food," was today awarded to one of the world's preeminent leaders in veterinary science, Dr. Walter Plowright. A scientist who has made significant contributions to vaccine developments for a number of animal diseases, Plowright's discovery of the rinderpest vaccine is considered one of the most important victories in improving the safety and availability of food throughout the world. Rinderpest, commonly known as cattle plague, was until Plowright's discovery, one of the deadliest animal diseases in recorded history, causing untold millions of losses in cattle, widespread famine, staggering economic losses, social unrest, and even war. Based in Kenya, Plowright dedicated more than 20 years of research and development to introduce a safe and effective rinderpest vaccine.
The World Food Prize is the most prestigious award of its kind honoring achievements made to improving the world's food supply.
The human impact and financial benefits of rinderpest control can be seen in numerous agricultural sectors. Reduced mortality in cattle has resulted in additional milk, meat and hide production and an expanded agricultural output in the developing world. Development of the rinderpest vaccine also has contributed to the preservation of both food and income resources for hundreds of thousands of small farms throughout the world, the absence of disease-ridden, perishing cattle, and reduced socio-political upheaval and war caused by scarce or perishing food sources.
"The development of the vaccine for rinderpest is a great triumph in the history of food and agriculture," said former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. "Dr. Plowright, along with countless other scientists and researchers, has ushered in a new era this century -- an age in which it is possible, and indeed quite feasible -- to eradicate disease and vastly improve the safety and security of food for people throughout the world."
Rinderpest -- The Cattle Plague
Rinderpest, first recognized as the European cattle plague of 376-386 AD, is a virus spread by contact and is nearly always fatal to cattle and other hoofed animals. During the following centuries, rinderpest wreaked havoc throughout the world. In the 18th century, 200 million cattle were affected in Western Europe, a devastation that eventually led to the founding of veterinary science and the establishment of the first Veterinary School in Lyon, France in 1762.
Although nearly every continent has battled the effects of rinderpest, the disease caused widespread damage in sub-Saharan Africa during the 19th century. Ethiopians and Kenyan Masaai lost 90% of their cattle and 95% of buffalo and other hoofed animals. A famine resulted in significant loss of life throughout Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda. And as recently as the 1980s in Nigeria, one outbreak of rinderpest proved responsible for hundreds of deaths and more than two billion dollars in losses.
Development of the Vaccine
Born on the Lincolnshire coast of Eastern England in 1923, Plowright entered the Royal Veterinary College in London at the age of 20. After graduating in 1944, Plowright was commissioned in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps during World War II, followed by 14 years with the Colonial Service based in Kenya. While in Kenya, Plowright dedicated his research to the development of a safe and effective rinderpest vaccine. Combining the disciplines of veterinary science, pathology, microbiology and virology, Plowright successfully developed tissue culture vaccines to effectively and economically control rinderpest and several other deadly diseases affecting livestock.
Throughout the course of his research, Plowright encountered several obstacles, not the least of which were financial. Testing vaccines on animals proved to be costly, as valuable animals such as cattle, rabbits or goats were a scarce resource in developing countries. Plowright and his team also had to isolate these animals while testing them to determine if they already had developed an immunity due to a previous infection with rinderpest.
By 1956, Plowright transferred to the Muguga Laboratory of the East African Veterinary Research Organization in Kenya, a move that would lead to one of the most important scientific and agricultural victories in the modern age. Here Plowright perfected the rinderpest vaccine, known as the Tissue Culture Rinderpest Vaccine, or TCRV. The new vaccine could be used on animals of any age or varying degrees of health, including even pregnant cows. The vaccine carried no significant side effects, was easily standardized, economical to produce, and once cattle were inoculated they remained immune for life.
"Dr. Plowright should be counted as one of the great heroes of the 20th century," said John Ruan, founder of The World Food Prize. "His development of the rinderpest vaccine nearly 40 years ago has helped save countless lives, while ensuring that our global food supply remains abundant and safe for future generations."
The World Food Prize
The World Food Prize was conceived by Dr. Norman E. Borlaug, recipient of the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize. Since 1986 The World Food Prize has honored outstanding individuals who have made vital contributions to improving the quality, quantity, or availability of food throughout the world. Previous laureates include Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, architect of India's "Green Revolution" (1987), He Kang, former Minister of Agriculture in China (1993), and Dr. Muhammad Yunus, founder of the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh (1994).
In 1990 businessman and philanthropist John Ruan assumed sponsorship of The Prize and established The World Food Prize Foundation located in Des Moines, Iowa. The Iowa State University College of Agriculture serves as the Secretariat of the World Food Prize.
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