Reply #11: cheers to Phyllis Fong who ordered the test [View All]

[maddezmom]

The new case was confirmed after a series of conflicting test results.

The department did initial screening using a "rapid test," which was positive. A more detailed immunohistochemistry, or IHC test, was negative. But the department did not conduct a third round, using the Western blot, until the department's inspector general, Phyllis Fong, ordered it to do so two weeks ago. Fong has not explained why she ordered new tests.

Results from those tests came back positive, leading officials to seek confirmation from the Weybridge lab. The department also performed more tests at its lab in Ames, Iowa.

Now the department will use both IHC and Western blot when rapid tests indicate the presence of the disease, Johanns said. Consumer groups and cattlemen have criticized the department for not using the test to resolve the conflicting results.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050625/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/mad_cow;_