Aimed at reinforcing standardised lab testing procedures, the four-day workshop was held at the University of Georgia, Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center in Athens in December 2013.

The group collaboration and training workshop is designed to promote and standardize accurate sampling and sample processing for Aviagen customers’ GP laboratories. Aviagen personnel also used the workshop to gain a first-hand understanding of customers’ needs and explore ways for Aviagen to better support them.

Aviagen is dedicated to working closely with its customers and to share the best and up-to-date diagnostic techniques for the accurate detection of specific pathogens such as Salmonella – the techniques demonstrated are part of the official United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) protocols used to certify the health status of broiler breeding stock sold in the U.S. and many countries around the world.

Dr Jose J. Bruzual from the Aviagen Global Technical Team and Dr Doug Waltman from the Georgia Poultry Lab Network organised the event, which was sponsored by the Aviagen Latin American Team along with the participating companies. The technical level of the participants was excellent, and allowed great interaction during the lectures and practical sessions.

Dr Bruzual said: “We are very pleased with the level of participation in this first workshop with 13 bacteriologists from our Latin America customers and representing nine countries, including eight representatives from our GP customer’s laboratories.

“Our goal is to make this a regular educational event and grow customer participation and collaboration in the future.”