Animal disease
Imago / VWPics 
The Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory is a key part of the U.S. National Poultry Research Center and a crucial asset in addressing poultry viral diseases at the state, national, and international levels.
USA, Athens. The Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory (SEPRL) opened its new poultry research facility to improve the control and management of poultry viral diseases.
According to a USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) press release, the facility is aimed at increasing the capabilities to respond to highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks and other exotic and emerging viruses of poultry and other birds.
At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Key leaders, including USDA's Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics and USDA's Chief Scientist, Dr Chavonda Jacobs-Young, spoke about the importance of this kind of infrastructure investment in poultry research.
“This modernised facility will serve as the largest poultry research complex in the United States, housing the largest number of researchers and staff dedicated to preventing, discovering, and solving poultry health problems," said Under Secretary Jacobs-Young.
The Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory has been at the forefront of developing the molecular test used in the United States and globally to diagnose avian influenza and Newcastle disease, developing vaccines for emergency use and commercial application, tracking the virus movement and spread, and understanding how to break the transmission cycle.
“When pathogens and diseases threaten the health of poultry, animal health experts in government and industry know that Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory researchers have the knowledge and expertise to quickly find answers and develop solutions," said Dr Simon Liu, acting ARS administrator.
Source: USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS)
