Progress 08/15/09 to 08/14/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Diagnostics: Currently, we are performing proficiency panels and testing for CSF, FMD, ASF, AI and END. CSF: Differential diagnostic service has continued for both Puerto Rico CSF surveillance sampling. For the year, overall submission rate from Puerto Rico has continued to decline. Puerto Rico submitted 13 investigations. Investigations have become more targeted for submissions, and 2 feral pig antibody check submissions were received that were negative for brucellosis, PRV and PCV2. PCVAD was more frequently diagnosed. The spectrum of conditions diagnosed was broad. PRRS continues to be found on the farms, some concurrently with PCV2, resulting in severe disease and pig losses for the farmers. One porcine parvovirus induced reproductive losses was diagnosed. As anticipated, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae is common, and there were 2 farms with severe whipworm parasitism. Histopathology detected lesions compatible with Haemophilus parasuis for one farm, and another farm had clinical greasy pig disease with PCV2 coinfection. Slaughter surveillance has been successfully implemented by the Area office at 2 different cull sow processors. Slaughter surveillance and NC cull pig monitoring tested respective totals of 558 cull sows and 22 cull pigs. VDL submissions remain low due to submission of pig tissue sets to other diagnostic laboratories with other viral detection/typing capabilities. Pigs were sampled from 54 different necropsy submissions for the calendar year. Veterinary practitioner submissions totaled 1 sample for the period. AI/END: We continue to screen laboratory poultry necropsy submissions for END and AI when lesions and history are compatible with that differential diagnosis. Implementation of submission of any APMV-1 positive sample to NVSL for LoNDV analysis and virus isolation has yielded some very interesting results. Not all APMV-1 positive samples are LoNDV positive, and to date NVSL has been able to isolate lentogenic APMV-1 from only one submission, despite the use of 2 consecutive 5-day-passages in SPF chicken embryos. Endemic strains of avian paramyxovirus-1 and infectious bronchitis coinfection continued to be diagnosed for the period. AI surveillance continues to be robust during to monitor for the possible introduction of low pathogenic strains of avian influenza in either backyard or commercial poultry flocks. END and AI surveillance conducted to date: END/AI testing has only been conducted for 100 fowl destined to be shipped from the Virgin Islands to Puerto Rico in this reporting period. Waterfowl AI surveillance continued in cooperation with the USDA Wildlife Service and the NC Wildlife Resources Commission field personnel. Both captured and hunter kill waterfowl were sampled. A total of 19 birds were positive by AI matrix rRT-PCR analysis, but all were negative for either H5 or H7. PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Our new BSL3 high throughput laboratory suite is complete and in operation. The NAHLN robotic liquid handler NXP and Kingfisher extractor were installed in a robotics vertical laminar flow biosafety cabinet. Both are used on a routine basis, and our high volume PCR assays are performed in the laboratory, specifically AI, CSF and FMD.
Impacts
Our new BSL3 high throughput laboratory suite is complete and in operation. The NAHLN robotic liquid handler NXP and Kingfisher extractor were installed in a robotics vertical laminar flow biosafety cabinet. Both are used on a routine basis, and our high volume PCR assays are performed in the laboratory, specifically AI, CSF and FMD. IT and Data Management: Remote sample collection and submission with the use of a handheld PDA scanner, premises barcode labels and sample barcode labels is now implemented for the laboratory. Currently, the laboratory system is in the process of purchasing a new LIMS, and the interface of the sample collection system has yet to be interfaced with that LIMS. Once the interface is implemented, the tracking system will then interface via the new LIMS to provided geospatial mapping data for all samples collected, which is particularly valuable in the event of a foreign animal disease outbreak. The mapping system indicates farms to be sampled, when they have been sampled for laboratory testing, and the results of the laboratory test which indicate if the farm is positive or negative. This system has been given the acronym, RASTR for rapid animal sampling and test reporting. Training and Education: Public Relations: In July and August we participated in a multi-state FMD response training exercise and in the NAHLN FMD tabletop exercise (VA and SC were also represented).
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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