Mobile lab to detect ASF, Avian Àu now in Bukidnon

BUKIDNON – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said a mobile laboratory equipped with state-ofthe-art animal health diagnostic technologies designed and created by a local veterinary research and diagnostics company Bioassets Corp. is now ready for use in Bukidnon province.

The DOST officially launched and turned over the laboratory to the Central Mindanao University (CMU) in Maramag town. The mobile laboratory can detect African swine fever and other zoonotic flu viruses.

The mobile bio-containment laboratory, the first of its kind in the country, will initially serve hog and poultry breeders in Bukidnon, and it can serve an estimated 5-10 farms per day that require diagnostic tests for livestock, according to Dr. Homer Pantua, President and Co-founder of Bioassets Corp.

Pantua explained that the test is equivalent to pooling and testing 150-250 samples in one location, thus, the establishment of the said mobile laboratory will support rapid response to potential outbreaks and improve disease surveillance, allowing farmers and veterinarians to craft mitigation strategies, preventive and control measures as needed.

Bukidnon province has the highest production of 137.28 thousand metric tons of live weight in 2021, according to statistics. In its 22 municipalities, there are currently 16,007 backyard hog raisers and 71 commercial hog raisers. A total of 251 poultry farms were also recorded to be operating in the province in December 2021.

“With a significant number of hog and poultry raisers in Bukidnon, the first-ever mobile laboratory must be made available in the area to support disease diagnostics,” Pantua said.

CMU President Dr. Jesus Antonio Derije lauded the Bioassets Corp. and DOST for working together to support the university's College of Veterinary Medicine in fulfilling its commitment to bring innovative tools to resource-limited areas. (Mindanao Examiner)