New Tests Offer rapid, Precise Bird Flu Detection
Faster and more accurate digital tests are now available for detecting avian influenza (bird flu), enabling quicker responses to potential outbreaks and bolstering animal health monitoring. Developed by the Joint Research Service of the european Commission (JRC) in collaboration with Sciensano (Belgium) and the istituto Superiore di Sanità (Italy), these new digital RT-PCR tests represent a significant advancement in disease surveillance.
The tests are specifically designed to identify the currently concerning H5NX viruses belonging to the 2.3.4.4B clade, while also capable of detecting a wider range of influenza-A viruses, including those responsible for seasonal flu. A key benefit is their heightened sensitivity; the tests can detect even minute amounts of viral RNA, even within complex environmental samples like wastewater.Compared to traditional PCR methods, these digital RT-PCR tests offer improved precision and sensitivity.Conventional tests require a larger viral load for detection, whereas the new methods identify even the smallest traces of viral genetic material. Furthermore, the tests allow for a targeted differentiation between H5NX viruses and other influenza-A strains – a process that previously required multiple tests or complex genetic sequencing. This streamlined approach saves valuable time, resources, and costs.
The ability to detect the virus at such an early stage facilitates the implementation of effective early warning systems. This allows authorities to react swiftly to potential outbreaks, mitigating economic losses within the poultry industry.
Importantly, the tests also support compliance with the upcoming EU wastewater directive, set to take affect in 2025, which mandates influenza virus monitoring in wastewater.
The JRC recognizes these tests as a crucial step forward in bird flu monitoring, contributing considerably to the protection of animal health and enabling a more proactive approach to disease control.