A grant from the National Animal Health Laboratory Network and the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program will help develop rapid testing for African swine fever. Quick identification and containment are key to stopping its spread, and a team of Purdue University researchers is developing a rapid, pen-side test for the disease.
Purdue University professor Mohit Verma received the $1 million grant, funded by the 2018 Farm Bill. Verma says, "A rapid test that can be done in the field is needed for surveillance and diagnosis of African swine fever."
Verma is collaborating with Purdue scientists to create a portable paper-strip test for the disease. The project follows in the footsteps of Verma's success developing similar tests for COVID-19 and Bovine Respiratory Disease.
A saliva or blood sample will be used for the test. The sample is mixed with primers and reagents developed by the team within a cartridge and gently heated. The included paper strip then changes colors if ASF DNA is present.