Diagnostics

Microbiologist Rod Keller does a run-through in preparation for chronic wasting disease testing at the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Photo by Jens Odegaard.

Sept. 10, 2025
By Jens Odegaard

This year, for the first time, Oregon hunters can have their harvested deer and elk tested for chronic wasting disease by an in-state laboratory. The Oregon State University Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, in partnership with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, will perform all CWD testing in the state. 

Mosquitoes are prepared for PCR testing to monitor for three viruses potentially dangerous to both animals and humans: West Nile, St. Louis encephalitis and western equine encephalitis virus.

Molecular Diagnostics is one of the sections within the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Oregon State University. We sat down with the section team to learn more about what they do and who they are.

Dr. Duncan Russell is an associate professor of anatomic pathology at the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at the Oregon State University Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine.

The Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory is the state’s best kept secret when it comes to diagnosing weird diseases people can get from other animals.  

Lorely Miller said she owes her life to the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Oregon State University. “I do not believe that I would still be alive today.” 

Miller contracted tularemia, an extremely dangerous, highly contagious bacterial disease. People usually get tularemia from other animals. In her case, from a squirrel.