NAHLN (NATIONAL ANIMAL HEALTH LABORATORY NETWORK) LEVEL 1 LABORATORY FOR THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE DEFENSE INITIATIVE

The ongoing highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza outbreaks in commercial poultry and backyard flocks in the U.S. demonstrates that maintenance of extensive physical and human resources at the state level is essential for the USDA to efficiently detect, manage, and eradicate major disease outbreaks. This application aims at maintaining and enhancing the capacity of the Athens Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (AVDL) and the Tifton Veterinary Diagnostic and Investiative Laboratory (TVDIL) as the branch laboratory at the University of Georgia to serve as a Level 1 NAHLN member. The overall goals of the proposal are to enhance the capability to rapidly respond to emerging or existing bioterrorist threats to animal health, to address emergency biological and chemical threats to animal agriculture and the security of the food supply. The laboratories will continue to maintain testing and messaging proficiency for Avian Influenza, African Swine Fever, Classical Swine Fever, Foot and Mouth Disease, Swine Influnza and New Castle Disease. The laboratories will also maintain capacity of SARS-CoV-2 testing of animal and human samples. To achieve the above goals, activities will be undertaken in five areas: 1) Quality system; 2) Staff training for foreign and emerging animal diseases; 3) Laboratory information management system; 4) NAHLN sample handling, processing, and testing capacities (including enhancement of biocontainment capabilities); and 6) Other integrated activities in support of the goals of NAHLN and Agricultural security. These activities will contribute towards maintaining and enhancing the laboratory capabilities and capacity to be an effective NAHLN Level 1 laboratory system in Georgia.