03/14/07 Fast test, fast results

Fast Test, Fast Results New techniques and procedures are interesting and needed. I'm Jeff Keane; I'll be back right after this to tell you about one. I'm amazed at some of the new procedures in the cattle industry and the one developed by Colorado State University's Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory is no exception. This new technique, involving a swab collection from the animal's mouth, will provide a more rapid diagnostic test for diseases. The time required to detect seven diseases, simultaneously has been decreased from days to hours. Diseases that can be checked quickly include foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), bovine viral diarrhea, bovine herpes-1, bovine parapox virus complex, bluetongue, swine vesicular disease, and vesicular exanthema in swine. The quick results of the test are important to be able to trace disease sources rapidly to help minimize losses and respond to a natural or terrorist introduction of these diseases. Foot and mouth disease, swine vesicular disease, and vesicular exanthema of swine are considered foreign animal diseases. Foot and mouth disease is very contagious and cost the United Kingdom about $5 billion in losses in a 2001 outbreak. Animals usually don't die, but productivity is reduced and in the United Kingdom nearly 10 million sheep, pigs and cows were slaughtered to curb the spread of the diseases. If this new test is ever needed, it should be a great tool to have on our side. I'm Jeff Keane. Western Farmer  Stockman March 2007