Member Spotlight – Royal GD: Rapid On‑Farm Avian Influenza Testing with Alveo Sense

Avian influenza remains a growing threat to the global poultry sector. Millions of birds have been culled worldwide, and concerns about the potential impact on human health continue to rise. Fast, reliable diagnostics at the farm are therefore essential to detect outbreaks early and to implement control measures without delay.

Dutch Poultry Centre member Royal GD, together with Alveo Technologies, has developed an innovative solution: Alveo Sense. This diagnostic platform delivers laboratory‑grade avian influenza testing directly at the farm, without the need for a traditional laboratory or specialised equipment.

Lab‑quality results at the point of need

Alveo Sense combines advanced molecular technology with GD’s veterinary expertise to provide actionable results within one hour. Single‑use microfluidic cartridges enable simultaneous detection of the avian influenza virus M‑gene and the key subtypes H5, H7 and H9. The system uses cloacal and oropharyngeal samples from sick or freshly deceased birds and does not require prior RNA extraction.

Designed for practical field use

The Alveo Sense platform is built as a true point‑of‑need solution:

• Portable and robust, suitable for use in the barn or on the farm

• Intuitive to operate, requiring only minimal training

• USB‑C powered, with limited consumables needed in daily use

• Cloud‑based data environment, offering secure storage and remote access to test results

Field validation studies show more than 99% specificity across avian influenza subtypes, with no observed cross‑reactivity. This gives farmers and veterinarians a fast, trustworthy tool to act before an outbreak can spread more widely.

Faster decisions, better protection

With Alveo Sense, protecting a flock no longer means waiting for laboratory reports. Poultry producers and veterinarians have clear answers on‑site, within the hour, enabling quicker isolation, enhanced biosecurity measures and timely follow‑up actions.

As a collaboration platform for the Dutch poultry sector, Dutch Poultry Centre is proud of Royal GD’s role in developing this new generation of diagnostics. Innovations like Alveo Sense are an important step towards a resilient, future‑proof poultry industry – in the Netherlands and around the world.