Centre grants project for pig diseases to GADVASU

The Union Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has sanctioned a project titled, ‘A diagnostic tool (Tetra ARMS PCR) to differentiate porcine parvovirus types and using computational methods for analysing their emergence’, for the Department of Veterinary Microbiology at Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) in Ludhiana.

The project will entail an expenditure of Rs 29 lakh.

The project aims to address a critical virus affecting the pig population in the state as commercial pig farming has become a highly lucrative venture here.

Sharing details, the GADVASU Vice-Chancellor (VC), Dr JPS Gill, said viral diseases that compromised the reproductive system of pigs posed significant challenges, resulting in substantial economic losses to farmers due to fetal mortality and infertility in sows.

He said the research team would develop a novel diagnostic assay to enable early and rapid diagnosis of this disease. “Additionally, the project will investigate the emergence of the virus within the pig population, aiding in the control of its spread,” Dr Gill revealed.

He underscored the significance of the pig industry and the diseases affecting it.