January 26, 2007

BSE test in live animals
 

A new diagnostic test that claims to detect mad cow disease in living animals before symptoms appear is being developed by Wageningen UR (WUR) in the Netherlands.

The test could save animals from being killed unnecessarily, and perhaps even allow herds to be screened for the disease.

The development of the test has not been sold yet according to Aalt Dijkhuizen, WUR chairman but the test could be expected in the market this year.

In 2006, WUR sold its Cedi Diagnostics to Swiss-based Prionics. Cedi Diagnostics developed a BSE test for dead animals which is being used by different companies in the Netherlands.