In-field detection of economically important viral veterinary pathogens.

Project objective is to provide capability for early in-field direct testing of swabs and blood for economically important veterinary pathogens in, supporting existing lab testing. BGR have developed a novel method and instrument for performing sensitive in-field molecular diagnostic tests for the detection of viruses without the requirement for expert scientists or shipping of samples to a lab. Tests could be performed at ports of entry to prevent diseases being imported, on farms or at slaughterhouses to support surveillance/quarantine and emergency response, and potentially support future vaccination efforts as a companion diagnostic. By performing rapid, sensitive, tests wherever required, the BGR technology could help protect the UK by flagging potential importation of infectious diseases at entry points and expedite outbreak response where incursions require disease response activities. For example, the outbreaks of FMD in the UK cost the economy £10bn and COVID-19 is thought to have originated from wildlife. Such technology could assist Defra to more effectively monitor transboundary veterinary diseases and provide real-time data to contribute to the control of these diseases, reducing the socio-economic impacts of future outbreaks. We will provide portable, low-cost molecular tests with the simplicity of the lateral flow tests, provided for COVID-19, yet with the sensitivity of gold standard PCR. _The CENOS platform (proprietary instrument and reagents) drives a technology led actionable strategy that we term 'At Patient Testing (APT)', representing a paradigm shift in molecular diagnostics. This novel approach provides testing whilst the patient waits, in a decentralised environment (no specialist lab facilities or infrastructure required) by users with minimal training. Patients rapidly diagnosed with sufficient sensitivity to enable early detection of subclinical, asymptomatic and non-symptomatic cases -- providing results in 'real time' to assist in triaging, treatment, and surveillance activities to help break onward disease transmission chains._ We will develop and validate tests for five important veterinary pathogens: Avian influenza virus (AIV), Newcastle disease virus (NDV), African swine fever virus (ASFV) and Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) and Seneca Valley Virus (SVV). Test assessment will be undertaken at TPI and APHA where the necessary scientific expertise and containment facilities required to work with these pathogens are available. The platform and associated validated tests would be made in the UK and marketed globally, supporting growth and employment in the UK Life Sciences and supply chains, while ensuring the UK is better prepared to respond to future epidemics of important human and animal pathogens.