Progress 09/01/12 to 08/31/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Animal Industry, Farmers, Universities, Scientists, State Animal Health Officials, Federal Animal Health Officials Changes/Problems: The National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) provides a critical infrastructure to protect the animal agriculture, food supply, and public health in the nation from threats like foreign animal diseases, emerging diseases, and bioterrorism. New Jersey Department of Agriculture, Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory (AHDL) is a member laboratory of the NAHLN and remains at the forefront of protecting the animal agriculture, food supply, and public health. Although the NAHLN funding has helped in preparedness to respond to foreign animal disease outbreak, it is inadequate to fund all the activities described above that are performed in support of the NAHLN’s mission. The State is already contributing to the NAHLN by replacing aging infrastructure and providing disproportional in kind services despite adverse economy. Increase in funding to the NAHLN is required to support the infrastructure and preparedness to protect the animal agriculture, food supply, and public health in coming year. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? The project has provided opportunities for training in quality management system. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? The laboratory will continue following participating in the NAHLN through: Compliance withOIE/ISO 17025 quality management system (QMS) Conitnued development of secure messaging capabiity utilizing the LIMS Participation in the NAHLN related meetings, webinars, and workshops Participation in proficiency testing Participating inforeign animalo disease investigations
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The New Jersey Department of Agriculture, Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory is a member of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) and performed testing for Avian Influenza surveillance of live bird markets, auctions, and backyard flocks in NJ. The laboratory also participated in Classical Swine Fever (CSF) and Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) proficiency testing. The laboratory is participating in CSF surveillance on tonsil samples collected from pigs posted by the laboratory pathologists. The laboratory hopes to provide the opportunity to participate in surveillance testing for the FMD, as provided by the USDA. The laboratory complied with the nonconformances cited during audit of the laboratory’s quality management system (QMS). This audit was conducted by the auditors from the NAHLN in August, 2012. This biennial audit is required for continued participation in the NAHLN while the laboratory is preparing to go for the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) accreditation. The laboratory was admitted as a NAHLN member laboratory for another year after successful submission of the NAHLN checklist. The laboratory continued to improve the Quality Management System (QMS) through internal audits and management reviews. At this time, the laboratory is in compliance with the NAHLN requirement to follow ISO17025/OIE quality assurance standards. The laboratory continued its implementation of secure messaging to send test results data to the NAHLN. A veterinary pathologist from the AHDL attended an intensive one-week training course, the Veterinary Laboratory Diagnostic Course hosted by the Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory at Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC), a federal research facility dedicated to the study of animal disease. The purpose of this training is to orient veterinarians who work as laboratory diagnosticians and veterinary pathologists in the diagnosis of foreign animal diseases of livestock and poultry in the United States. The training is designed to provide knowledge of the clinical symptoms and gross pathology of certain foreign animal diseases of the U.S. and other domestic animal diseases for which a differential diagnosis should be made; laboratory diagnostic procedures and specimens required for confirmation of the disease in question; trade related issues and how trade is impacted by these diseases worldwide; research being conducted or planned; and provide information on sample collection techniques.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/09 to 08/31/13
Outputs
Target Audience:
Nothing Reported
Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? This project has provided opportunities for staff to receive training in the quality management system. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
New Jersey Department of Agriculture's Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory(AHDL) since its partnership with the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) has participated in surveillance efforts for foreign animal diseases (FADs) and diseases of high consequence to animal agriculture. The NAHLN funding, although not enough for the purpose, is helping the AHDL to prepare to respond to highly consequential animal diseases through personnel salary support. The funding has helped the laboraory in implementing the quality management system required to be a member laboratory of the NAHLN.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The New Jersey Department of Agriculture, Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory is a member of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) and performed testing for Avian Influenza surveillance of live bird markets and backyard flocks in NJ. The laboratory also participated in Classical Swine Fever (CSF) and Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) proficiency testing. The laboratory participated in CSF surveillance on samples collected from pigs posted by the laboratory pathologists. The laboratory hopes to provide the opportunity to participate in surveillance testing for the FMD, as provided by the USDA. The laboratory was audited by the auditors from the NAHLN in August, 2012. This biennial audit is required for continued participation in the NAHLN while the laboratory is preparing to go for the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) accreditation. The laboratory continued to improve the Quality Management System (QMS) through internal audits and management reviews. At this time, the laboratory is in compliance with the NAHLN requirement to follow ISO17025/OIE quality assurance standards. The laboratory moved to a new facility in March, 2012. The new facility provides state- of-the-art equipment and laboratory, including several BSL-3 suites to support the mission of the NAHLN. The new facility includes a necropsy floor with modern equipment. The laboratory continued its implementation of secure messaging to send test results data to the NAHLN. PARTICIPANTS: Laboratory Director, research scientist, pathologists, quality manager, information technology staff, multiple laboratory technicians. TARGET AUDIENCES: Farmers, veterinarians, agriculture industry, States, other government agencies interested in animal health. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) provides a critical infrastructure to protect the animal agriculture, food supply, and public health in the nation from threats like foreign animal diseases, emerging diseases, and bioterrorism. New Jersey Department of Agriculture, Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory (AHDL) is a member laboratory of the NAHLN and remains at the forefront of protecting the animal agriculture, food supply, and public health. Although the NAHLN funding has helped preparedness to respond to foreign animal disease outbreak, it is inadequate to fund all the activities described above that are performed in support of the NAHLN's mission. The State is already contributing to the NAHLN by replacing aging infrastructure and providing disproportional in kind services despite bad economy. Increase in funding to the NAHLN is required to support the infrastructure and preparedness to protect the animal agriculture, food supply, and public health in coming year.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The NJ Department of Agriculture, Division of Animal Health, Diagnostic Laboratory is a member of the NAHLN and performed testing for Avian Influenza surveillance of live bird markets and backyard flocks in NJ. The laboratory also participated in Classical Swine Fever (CSF) and Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) proficiency testing hope to provide the opportunity to participate in laboratory surveillance testing for this disease, as provided by USDA. A new facility in construction is almost finished which will provide state of the art equipment and laboratory, including several BSL3 suites to support the mission of NAHLN. The new facility includes a necropsy laboratory with modern equipments to move animal around in the room and to perform necropsy. A new LIMS system has been obtained that will provide HL 7 messaging capacity and is being configured to fit the NAHLN needs. The laboratory passed the 2011 NAHLN qualification checklist. PARTICIPANTS: Two lab staff participated in receiving, processing, and accessioning NAHLN testing samples into LIMS, distributed specimens to laboratories, shipped specimens to NVSL, maintained log of specimen submission, maintained chain of custody form of specimens, filed reports, mailed/faxed reports to USDA-AVIC/NAHLN. Staff started new LIMS configuration per NAHLN requirements of HL-7 messaging. Staff is assisting Project Director in quality assurance program implementation. Project Director is overseeing NAHLN testing related activities including specimen testing, LIMS configuration, and quality assurance. TARGET AUDIENCES: Farmers, Livestock industry, Food consumers, Animal Scientists PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Enhanced protection of New Jersey's agriculture from highly consequential livestock diseases. Preparedness to respond to foreign animal disease introduction into US.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 09/01/09 to 08/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The NJ Department of Agriculture Division of Animal Health is a member of NAHLN and performed testing for AI, END and CSF disease surveillance. We have increased the number of certified staff to run these tests. The laboratory acquired a DHS-funded mobile laboratory unit to be deployed to remote locations should the need arise for local testing for NAHLN to prevent the spread of infectious agents. The placement of the mobile unit at high density farms will also enable brisk turn around times to permit ongoing commerce, where safe to do so. The mobile lab unit needs to be equipped with instruments and supplies for testing. PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Enhanced protection of NJ's animal agriculture.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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