Researchers from Brunel University London are developing a method that chicken farmers in the Philippines can use to test poultry for pathogens.

A molecular test in combination with a smartphone app will be capable of picking up on six different pathogens in the poultry, thereby allowing farmers to act quickly before disease can spread while also eliminating the need to send samples out for costly lab tests.

Using an instrument the size of a matchbox, farmers will be able to collect samples from the birds to screen the birds’ DNA and RNA. Via wireless connection, an app will display the test results in just under an hour.

"Near-patient molecular diagnostics have been very important in improving human health," said Brunel University London's Professor Balachandran. "But such technology in animal health in farms is less advanced. This will make a massive change to the poultry industry, especially for low and middle-income countries."

With so many people in poorer countries relying on poultry farming to make a living, an outbreak of disease could be catastrophic to their economies. Unfortunately, traditional tests don’t work well in struggling countries because the equipment is costly and lab results can take hours or days.

“This quick and easy test will help vets identify disease among poultry, which helps prevent it spreading," said Professor Roberto La Ragione at the University of Surrey's School of Veterinary Medicine. "The technology will not only benefit the Philippines, but could be rolled out to other developing countries."

Calling the detection of viral diseases in poultry one of the biggest challenges to poultry health in developing countries, Molecular Virologist Dr. Muhammad Munir at Lancaster University said, "Many viruses and bacteria infect chickens simultaneously, especially in developing countries, and complicate the clinical signs of individual disease. This makes molecular diagnostic tests that can be applied in less-equipped laboratories and on the farm a necessity."