Progress 06/15/02 to 07/14/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Both Athens Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (AVDL) and Tifton Veterinary Diagnostic and Investigational Laboratory (TVDIL) have successfully messaged the NAHLN system prior to June 30, 2007. AVDL has developed and is successfully messaging the Georgia Reportable Animal Disease System (RADS). At the meeting of IT personnel from the veterinary diagnostic laboratories in Georgia, Mississippi, Wisconsin and Cornell, Jeff Duke of Georgia demonstrated the messaging system developed at Georgia and assisted with its implementation for other laboratories. Both AVDL and TVDIL planned and participated in a state-wide training/continuing education program in December 2006 involving homeland security, disease reporting and emergency preparedness. Both laboratories are involved with a similar tabletop exercise planned for this Fall. The AVDL continues to be one of the core laboratories of the NAHLN and conducts tests for BSE, CWD, CSF, Scrapie, END, and AI surveillance. During the past
year, the TVDIL tested tissues from over 770 submissions for CSF as part of the USDA CSF surveillance program. After recent inspections of facilities, both laboratories are obtaining estimates for upgrading BSL3 facilities. Due to bankruptcy of the company that was contracted to provide the AVDL's tissue digester, a delivery date is unknown at this time.
PARTICIPANTS: Dr. Bruce Hollett replaced Dr. Susan White in July 1, 2006.
Impacts
Dr. Jerry Saliki serves on the NAHLN Methods Technical Working Group. Faculty and staff of both laboratories are developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the State Animal Response Team (SART) and are members of various SART teams. Fifteen technicians (9 from AVDL and 6 from TVDIL) are proficiency trained for CSF and FMD. Both laboratories also plan on submitting CSF/FMD results on the 96-well format this year.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
The University of Georgia Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories were selected to participate as one of the original twelve laboratories in the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) and are one of 5 laboratories designated a core laboratory of the NAHLN. This national network is intended to enhance the ability of the federal laboratory system to respond quickly to foreign animal disease threats. To meet the data integrity and security requirements of the NAHLN initiative we have installed an intrusion prevention package to prevent and manage virus outbreaks, hacking, and malicious cyber security threats within the College of Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory networks. Both of our laboratories have fully functional BSL3 laboratories staffed with personal which have passed proficiency testing and are currently running post-proficiency tests for all diseases designated by the USDA for which test kits are available. We are currently
participating in BSE surveillance and are testing approximately 25,000 samples per year and are capable of testing a maximum of 96,000 samples/ year. We have worked with a state-wide committee (the GA GSF 11 National Response Plan) to plan and prepare for a disease outbreak such as Foot and Mouth Disease. We have a 24 hour reportable animal disease hotline that functions to keep all parties informed of the status of a report of a disease outbreak, potential weather hazards or new disease outbreaks in other states that may affect us. At the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories we have a phone tree for emergencies of any type which includes, but is not limited to, fires equipment malfunction, weather, and disease outbreaks requiring additional personnel and changes in scheduled work hours. We have an agreement between all our surrounding states within the Southeastern United States to assist with their routine testing in the event of an emergency (for example flooding or hurricanes) or
during a disease outbreak. Nine faculty of the Diagnostic laboratories have attended training at the FAD course at Plum Island, NY. In addition faculty and technical staff have attended training courses in incident command, biological terrorism preparedness, emergency response to bioterrorism, an overview of potential biological agents used in bioterrorism, and other related seminars on disease disaster preparedness. We participate in the statewide train the trainer program provided for veterinarians, their technicians and all county extension agents on basic biosecurity. In addition, the State of Georgia has begun the formation and identification of State Agricultural Response Teams (SART) as part of the Georgia Agroterrorism Committee. These response teams will be an integral part of the state of Georgia response in the event of an outbreak. The personnel from the Georgia Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories are members of these teams.
Impacts
The activities of the Athens and Tifton Laboratories has prepared them to respond efficiently to any outbreak of a foreign animal disease in Georgia or surrounding states. This preparation will allow rapid diagnosis, surveillance, and control of any foreign animal disease outbreak in the southeastern USA.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
The Athens Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and the Tifton Veterinary Diagnostic and Investigational Laboratory have spent this year becoming fully functional participants in the National Animal Health Laboratory Network. Faculty members have completed the Foreign Animal Disease training at Plum Island from both laboratories. Equipment and reagents to perform the prescribed assays have been purchased and personnel have been trained. Both laboratories have successfully completed quality assurance tests utilizing USDA test samples. BSL3 laboratory space had to be established at each laboratory. Existing space in the Athens Laboratory required only minor modification to satisfy BSL3 specifications. The Tifton Laboratory required extensive renovation. Existing laboratory space at the Tifton Laboratory was demolished internally and rebuilt as a biosecure negative pressure BSL3 facility. This 1200 sq ft laboratory will comply with BSL3 specifications. The renovation is 95%
complete at this time.
Impacts
The activities of the Athens and Tifton Laboratories has prepared them to respond efficiently to any outbreak of a foreign animal disease in Georgia or surrounding states. This preparation will allow rapid diagnosis, surveillance, and control of any foreign animal disease outbreak in the southeastern USA.
Publications
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