Diagnostic lab develops test for virus killing millions of pigs in 20 states

The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory has developed a a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV).

Although it is often found in many countries, the virus was only recently identified in the United States during May 2013. According to the National Pork Board, the virus has killed between 1 and 4 million pigs in the United States and has spread to more than 20 states across the country. The virus, spread by fecal matter, can be transmitted by pigs as well as by inanimate objects such as boots, clothing and trucks

Among the largest and busiest labs of its kind in the world, conducting tests on hundreds of specimens each business day, TVMDL offers the new PEDV test through its Amarillo location.

#TAMUresearch