ATHENS, GA. — The US Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Oct. 4 to mark the opening of a new poultry research facility in Athens, Ga.

“This modernized facility will serve as the largest poultry research complex in the United States, housing the largest number of researchers and staff dedicated to preventing, discovering and solving poultry health problems,” said Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young, USDA chief scientist and under secretary for Research, Education and Economics.

The new facility will expand upon the Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory’s capabilities, which was originally established in 1962 to study airsacculitis in broiler chickens. The facility now enables staff to respond to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), Newcastle disease, reoviruses, infectious bursal disease, Marek’s disease and other emerging bird viruses.

The laboratory has actively worked to develop a molecular test to diagnose HPAI and Newcastle disease along with development of vaccines. Researchers have been tracking the virus’ spread and have been forming solutions to break the transmission cycle.

“When pathogens and diseases threaten the health of poultry, animal health experts in government and industry know that Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory researchers have the knowledge and expertise to quickly find answers and develop solutions,” said Dr. Simon Liu, acting ARS administrator.