LADDL now performing monkeypox virus testing
October 25, 2022
Effective October 4, 2022, the Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (LADDL) at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine began testing for monkeypox virus for the LSU Student Health Center. In 2021, LADDL, an accredited veterinary diagnostic laboratory, acquired CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments) certification for the testing of human samples for COVID-19 and now monkeypox virus.
The monkeypox virus test is a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test and is intended for the detection of nucleic acid for monkeypox virus in specimens taken from lesions. The results from the PCR test can detect and identify the presence of monkeypox DNA within the collected sample.
LADDL is proud to participate in monkeypox virus testing and contribute to the efforts to help combat infectious diseases in humans. If you have related symptoms and think you may need to be tested for monkeypox, contact the LSU Student Health center to make an appointment by calling 225-578-6716.
About LADDL
The Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab is the only full-service AAVLD-accredited multidisciplinary animal disease diagnostic laboratory in the State of Louisiana. Housed in the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, LADDL services the people of Louisiana and surrounding states by providing animal disease diagnostic services to agricultural and general communities and to the public health sectors of the State. LADDL is dedicated to improving animal health and preventing infectious diseases impacting animals and humans. LADDL enhances research development and adaptation of diagnostic tests and protocols, researches and investigates livestock and companion animal diseases impacting the health and wellbeing of the animals and citizens of Louisiana. Also, diagnostic testing performed at LADDL has a significant impact on the economics on the animal industries of Louisiana. LADDL operates in partnership with Louisiana State University, the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana veterinarians, and livestock and poultry producers.
About LSU Vet Med: Bettering lives through education, public service, and discovery
The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine is one of only 32 veterinary schools in the U.S. and the only one in Louisiana. LSU Vet Med is dedicated to improving and protecting the lives of animals and people through superior education, transformational research, and compassionate care. We teach. We heal. We discover. We protect.
About the LSU Student Health Center
The LSU Student Health Center offers quality, accessible, inclusive treatment and prevention services in the campus community through the Medical Clinics, Mental Health Service, Wellness and Health Promotion, and The Lighthouse Program. The Student Health Center employs an integrated care model and has been accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) since 1987, most recently re-accredited in January 2020, placing it among the top university health centers in the country.