NAHLN: DISEASE PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE AT WISCONSIN VETERINARY DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY

On the testing front, currently 15 microbiologists are proficiency tested for each of thefollowing diseases: IAV (including H5 and H7, IAV-Swine), APMV-1 (including vNDV) andthe FMD/SVA multiplex assay. Eleven microbiologists are currently proficiency tested for ASFand CSF PCR assays. The IAV proficiency-tested microbiologists are actively providingoutbreak testing for the on-going HPAI outbreak since mid-March of 2022. The additionalworkload that requires rapid turnaround of results for disease investigation or permitted productmovement added challenges to the workforce, since this testing often extended past regularbusiness hours and into weekends. As a primary goal for this funding period, WVDL willcontinue to maintain NAHLN capacity by having a sufficient pool of proficiency testedmicrobiologists to support the ongoing outbreak response and avoid staff burn-out. Participationin the current disease outbreak provides the opportunity for WVDL to improve our workflow andpreparedness for our staff to respond to other emergencies such as the influenza event in cattle ora potential ASF outbreak. Eight microbiologists in Pathology Sciences are proficiency tested forthe BSE and CWD ELISA and 8 Pathologists for scrapie/CWD IHC to maintain our critical rolein providing quality testing service for TSE testing for many states.The WVDL will continue our participation in the NAHLN AMR program in addition toperform bacterial whole genome sequencing for the NAHLN AMR project. Additionally, in2023, WVDL was able to hire a position dedicated to NGS assay development and testing, whichwill continue into FY24.We continue to work on areas of continuous quality improvement. Quality relatedinitiatives for the 2023/2024 year include: focus on corrective action timing, review andpreparation for our 2024 AAVLD accreditation site visit, additional quality system training forstaff, and support for new LIMS implementation including validation, compliance review, andprocedural updates. The WVDL Quality Manager is a participating member of the AAVLDAccreditation Committee starting January 2022 and continues to participate in the AAVLDAudit Pool as auditor and site visit chair.?LIMS system upgrade started in 2023 with an anticipated deployment planned forsummer of 2024. Evaluation and transitioning of NAHLN electronic messaging of results basedon our new LIMS system will be a part of this process. Upcoming NAHLN IT projects willinclude restructure of all current NAHLN message routes with the plan to migrate all into thenew LIMS, and revalidation of all disease messaging for HL7 competency with NAHLN. Wealso will require restructuring of all queries for state and federal agencies that utilize automateddelivery of result datasets. WVDL IT staff will continue participation in all annual NAHLNelectronic messaging competencies required of Level 1 laboratories. WVDL IT successfullyimplemented FMD/SVA multiplex messaging into the already established messaging routes forthese diseases. ASF/CSF multiplex messaging is intended for the next message conversion tosupport this format.In summary, WVDL has been very active in disease testing response to the HPAIoutbreak since March 2022 and continues to remain active at the time of this proposalsubmission. It took a substantial management effort from key administrative personnel and anenormous effort and commitment from staff to continue to perform NAHLN testing above andbeyond their regular workload. The primary focus of this proposal is the salary support for keyadministrative personnel and microbiologists. These funds will enhance, manage and support theNAHLN program at WVDL as a high quality laboratory partner in the NAHLN network andincrease microbiologist capabilities and capacity for NAHLN disease testing in routinesurveillance and the on-going disease outbreak. We continue to play a very important role insafeguarding our agriculture and food safety industries.