An Otago-Born Technology Designed To Detect Parasites In Livestock Has Received A Shedload Of Unexpected Applications Worldwide

An Otago-born technology designed to detect parasites in livestock has received a shedload of unexpected applications worldwide. Since 1992, Mosgiel based tech group Techion has continually developed a user-friendly microscope to count parasite eggs in sheep faeces samples, giving a clear idea of infection levels. Founder Greg Mirams says while the core of their work remains in farmed animal disease Techions product is being trialed for human health applications. The group has partnered with the Swiss Tropical Public Health Institute, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation – to scan for disease-causing parasites in humans in Mozambique and Tanzania. Mirams compared the technology to a rain gauge for a disease with its digital microscopes capturing images, which are then uploaded to the cloud where they are analysed by technicians.