Portable device for detecting poultry diseases

The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) and Veredus Laboratories, a supplier of molecular diagnostic tools, announced the launch of VereVetTM, a portable Lab-on-Chip application that can detect, differentiate and identify nine major poultry infectious disease agents in one sample using a single disposable biochip.

Unlike the conventional method of testing which requires different samples for different tests, the portable Lab-on- Chip application should be able to detect multiple infectious disease agents affecting poultry using only one sample. These disease agents include Newcastle Disease virus, Salmonella Pullorum, Salmonella Enteritidis, Campylobacter and Avian Influenza, according to the makers of the chip.

Emergence of new strains

AVA CEO Tan Poh Hong said: “Singapore is free from bird flu. However it continues to plague other countries in the region as well as other parts of the world. With the emergence of new strains, it may be a challenge to quickly identify the strain in question. The new Lab-on-Chip, capable of rapidly identifying multiple poultry pathogens in one sample, enables authorities to take appropriate actions.”

Scientific details of VereVet will be presented at the 17th International Symposium of World Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians in Canada on Tuesday.