The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) today announced a new partnership between the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) and the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN). APHIS will place scientists in labs in each of the five NAHLN regions to enhance the capabilities and capacities of each.
A review team made up of experts from APHIS, NBAF, and NAHLN identified the five key NAHLN facilities across the country that will each host a scientist to work on this project. These scientists will evaluate and develop diagnostics for animal and zoonotic diseases. They will collaborate across the organizations, and will be responsible for evaluating local, regional, national, and international threats and ensuring the NAHLN laboratories have the tools necessary to diagnose emerging threats.
“We are thrilled to announce this partnership,” said Dr. Rosemary Sifford, USDA’s Chief Veterinarian. “Our goal is to ensure all network laboratories are poised to combat the threat of transboundary and emerging diseases to protect our nation’s agricultural and food supply systems.”
APHIS is funding this project with NBAF Partnerships and Innovation funds as part of an overall strategy to help prevent animal pests and diseases from entering the United States and reduce the spread and impact of potential disease incursions through advance planning and preparedness.
The NAHLN coordination team selected the following laboratories to participate:
- Region 1: Cornell University Animal Health Diagnostic Center/New York State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
- Region 2: Virginia Tech Animal Laboratory Services
- Region 3: Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
- Region 4: Arizona Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
- Region 5: Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory
Learn more about this effort at the USDA APHIS National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) website.