China approves Thermo Fisher Scientific’s African Swine Fever Virus workflow to help limit spread of disease

Thermo Fisher Scientific, the world leader in serving science, announced the China Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center (Agricultural and Rural Department Slaughter Technology Center) has approved its real-time PCR-based workflow to detect and monitor the spread of African Swine Fever (ASF). The PCR method is the preferred detection technology now in use for the ASF outbreak currently affecting China.

Swine industry experts agree that countries need to be vigilant as the virus could be imported with feed, feed components or travelers. In the absence of vaccines, monitoring and control of ASF by diagnostic methods are crucial components of a control program. PCR-based diagnostic testing is designed to identify the virus by detecting its DNA, rather than antibodies that are generated against it, allowing earlier detection of the virus compared to other diagnostic methods.

Thermo Fisher’s ASF detection real-time PCR workflow passed the stringent performance and validation assessment protocol carried out by the Center, which is part of China’s Ministry of Agriculture (MOA). The validation was conducted on a panel of 84 samples, primarily ASF virus field samples, as well as negative samples and others containing other viruses. China Animal Husbandry Group, Thermo Fisher Scientific’s distributor partner, submitted the sample to answer workflow for ASF virus detection with components that included Applied Biosystems MagMAX CORE nucleic acid extraction kits and QuantStudio PCR instruments, which contributed to the successful validation.

“It’s important to have the right diagnostic tools available to get an outbreak under control, and our tools can help China’s diagnostic laboratories rapidly determine if ASF virus is on a farm so pig farmers and veterinarians can take appropriate action against further spread of the virus,” Martin Guillet, global head and general manager for AgriBusiness at Thermo Fisher Scientific. “With ASF spreading across the globe, we work with countries to help limit the spread of the virus as well as to proactively monitor and prepare for the virus so they aren’t caught off-guard if the virus should make it into their country.”

For more information about the African Swine Fever testing tools, visit www.thermofisher.com/animalhealth.

Also, learn more about Thermo Fisher’s contribution to ASF education in the region: ASF educational meetings

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

On-Demand Join us for an exclusive look into the future of the protein industry with The National Provisioner’s 2024 State of the Industry webinar, a key feature of our October eMagazine. Dive deep into transformative insights as consumer research experts from Circana take the stage.

IPPE 2025

The International Production & Processing Expo is the world's largest annual poultry and egg, meat, and animal food industry event of its kind. A wide range of domestic and international decision-makers attend this annual event to find solutions for their business, network with industry colleagues, and learn about the latest technological developments and issues facing the industry.

The 2025 IPPE already has 1,200+ exhibitors that will occupy more than 583,000+ square feet of exhibit space. The 2025 IPPE will offer timely and important information and an efficient way for producers and processors to find solutions to enhance their operations.

We look forward to being with you again at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. Mark your calendar to join us Jan. 28 - 30, 2025. You will not want to miss this "must-attend" event for our industries!