August 11, 2020

Philippine Department of Agriculture, Pampanga university to work on fast-track detection of animal diseases

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has signed a memorandum of agreement with Pampanga State Agricultural University (PSAU) over the weekend that targets the fast-track detection and treatment of diseases in livestock, poultry, and fish, Inquirer.net reported.

The project, "DNA Analysis for Accurate Diagnosis of Emerging Deadly Viruses among Agri-fisheries of Central Luzon," hopes to provide information to the drug sector that would enable them to produce customised vaccines that specifically target viral strains present in Central Luzon, known as a production hub for livestock and poultry.

"The launch of this project is both timely and relevant, as it marks a new milestone in our efforts to boost our capacity to accurately detect and effectively manage emerging animal disease, including that of transboundary diseases here in Central Luzon and nearby regions," Agriculture Secretary William Dar said.

The Department has to date allocated P6.4 million (~US$130,000; P1 = US$0.02)in project funding.

Throughreverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction or RT-PCR, similar to the method used to detect COVID-19, and DNA sequencing, the project would determine the true-to-type species or genotypes of the causative agent of emerging viruses.

Researchers would then be able to analyse transmissions, including the occurrence,reduction, and severity of the viruses.

Diseases that would be covered by the project are African swine fever (ASF), Newcastle Disease, avian flu, tilapia lake virus, and white spot syndrome virus.