CAMPINAS, Brazil – Aviagen^® Latin America recently held a specialized laboratory workshop on disease diagnosis in Gainesville, Georgia, USA, in collaboration with the Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network (GPLN). The event, held from Sept. 23-27, brought together 15 poultry laboratory technicians representing 14 poultry companies from across Mexico, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Paraguay.

Led by Aviagen’s Senior Poultry Veterinary Specialist Dr. Jose J. Bruzual, Veterinary Laboratory Director Dr. Lola Crespo, and GPLN experts Dr. Doug Waltman and Dr. Louise Dufour-Zavala, Laboratory Director, the workshop combined informative lectures with hands-on lab practice. Participants gained practical insights into the latest techniques for diagnosing salmonella, as well as strategies for effective biosecurity to protect poultry health.

Aviagen aims to equip poultry companies with the skills to identify and address salmonella challenges, enabling them to effectively prevent and control this avian disease.

Strengthening food safety and security

“Aviagen is dedicated to enhancing global food safety and security, and disease prevention is at the heart of this mission,” said Dr. Bruzual. “Through collaborations with industry leaders like the GPLN, we empower poultry integrators with the knowledge and tools to safeguard their flocks and the poultry supply chain. This one-of-a-kind workshop equipped our Grandparent and Parent Stock customers laboratories with the latest protocols for Salmonella detection, which is vital for protecting our industry from this significant threat.”

Jorge Amado, Regional Technical Manager for Aviagen Latin America, expressed his gratitude to the GPLN team for their collaboration in organizing the event. “We are proud to provide our Latin American customers with access to world-class expertise in disease prevention. Workshops like this are essential for advancing bird health and welfare and securing a stable supply chain for our region.”

The workshop is part of Aviagen’s ongoing commitment to promoting best practices in poultry health management and supporting the success of the poultry sector across Latin America and beyond.

About the Georgia Poultry Laboratory Network

GPLN provides monitoring and diagnostic services from farm to table to contribute to the safety and health of poultry flocks, eggs, and poultry products.

The organization supports the poultry industry and other bird owners by providing health monitoring and veterinary diagnostic services specific to poultry. They are ally with the poultry industry, government agencies, and other laboratories for the prevention, management, and control of poultry disease outbreaks, and participate in emergency preparedness programs for Avian Influenza and Exotic Newcastle Disease.

They provide a range of services from disease monitoring and testing to chick quality assurance to hatchery inspections.