August 2, 2005

China's new test detects pig disease in four hours

Chinese scientists have developed a test to detect in four hours all strains of streptococcus suis in pigs. Streptococcus suis is the pig bacteria that has so far killed 36 people in Sichuan, China.

The Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine (CAIQ), which developed the high-speed test, said the test could even differentiate between the infection-causing form of the disease and other strains.

The multiple polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test can be used to ensure meat on sale on the Chinese market is free from the bacteria, said CAIQ president Wang Daning, revealing also that the test would be used over the next week by all quarantine branches across the country.

A Chinese Academy of Sciences senior scientist Tian Bo, also expects the test to help stem the disease spread in Sichuan.

In the meantime, Beijing has put up measures to stop the pig disease from entering the Chinese capital, such as banning the sale of 4,000 tonnes of frozen pork and pork products already in stock from Sichuan. Beijing restaurants are also forbidden from buying and serving pork that has not been quarantined.