Iowa State University researchers have created a test to detect a disease that could threaten the state’s pork industry, although it has not been found in the U-S. The test can identify Japanese encephalitis virus, or J-E-V, which is spread by mosquitoes and is related to West Nile and Zika. Rahul Nelli at I-S-U’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, says most cases of J-E-V in pigs result in mild symptoms, but an outbreak could cost the state’s pork industry 600-million dollars. Nelli, who led I-S-U’s development of the test, says J-E-V can also be a health threat to humans and other animals, including water birds and horses.
