NAHLN WI: 2008

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: The 2008 WVDL proposal provides a plan of work to continue our preparation for agricultural emergencies. The proposal contains plans for increased surveillance activities; expanded collaboration with federal and state partners; continued education of 15 microbiologists; and outreach activities to further develop international capacity for detection of viruses that can cause considerable damage to our livestock. WVDL expects to participate in four surveillance programs for diseases such as bird flu and mad cow disease in the coming year. We will incorporate new assays and surveillance activities as they are deployed by USDA. Surveillance will also be conducted for diseases that potentially look like foot and mouth disease or bird flu by using a WVDL rapid assay. The expected benefit is increased capacity for early detection of potentially harmful pathogens to animals and people. WVDL is part of the Wisconsin Inter-laboratory Emergency Response Group (WILERG). WVDL is hosting a bird flu emergency practice exercise during this grant period. The expected outcome is identification of weaknesses and collective assessment of how to improve our collaborations. In addition to WILERG, we have collaborated extensively with our public health lab in the past on projects and will again share laboratory expertise. The benefit is that each institution would have an additional two people trained to respond to either a human or animal outbreak. The Wisconsin 2008 program will continue to emphasize laboratory expertise in performance of rapid testing. Maintenance of this expertise and maintaining the history of successful proficiency testing will be the primary goals for this grant period. Each microbiologist will practice performing rapid assays at least 12 hours per month in order to ensure a high level of competence. The anticipated outcome is a staff of 15 microbiologists trained and able to provide a rapid response around-the-clock in an outbreak situation. Finally, WVDL has established a history of outreach missions to foreign countries. In continuation of these activities, we will host a training session for a scientist from the Central Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Kabul, Afghanistan. The training in performance of rapid assays benefits our country by improving the ability of developing nations to detect and wipeout viruses at the source before the disease can spread to our country.
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APPROACH: ELISA and immunohistochemistry techniques will be used to accomplish the surveillance for BSE and CWD for the coming year. Real time PCR assays developed by NVSL will be used to test for HPAI, END, and CSFV. WVDL differential diagnosis panels for avian and ruminant endemic diseases that can mimic the clinical signs of high consequence pathogens were developed in previous grant periods. The bovine panel is comprised of: bovine viral diarrhea, bovine herpes 1 and 2, malignant catarrhal fever, parapox, bluetongue, epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus, and bovine papular stomatitis. Avian infectious agents are represented in the following panel: Chlamydia, infectious bronchitis virus, duck viral enteritis virus, psitticine polyoma virus, infectious laryngotracheitis virus, fowl pox, hemorrhagic enteritis of turkeys virus, Pasteurella multocida, eastern equine encephalitis virus, psitticine herpes virus and avian pneumovirus. These panels have been developed based on published sequences and conventional PCR assays. All of these assays were adapted to the same cycling and annealing conditions. All suspect samples will be tested using the appropriate differential panel, as well as the FAD test as specified by NVSL. Collaborations in 2008 include further evaluation of the ruminant endemic panel at the Plum Island Foreign Animal Disease Laboratory. The outcome will be measured by achieving acceptable ongoing quality assurance for surveillance activities and prompt reporting of results. Participation in table top exercises and attendance at monthly emergency preparedness meetings will provide the mechanism for strengthening our in state collaborations. An analysis of the outcome of the table top exercises will be provided by the facilitating consultants. Our relationship with the WSLH will be strengthened in this grant period by cross training two microbiologists at each laboratory. With this cross training each institution will have two additional microbiologists available during an outbreak situation. Also, electron microscopy services will be shared with WSLH. The outcome will be measured by successful completion of in house proficiency tests. Employee preparedness for emergencies will be enhanced by participating in proficiency exams, surveillance activities, and performance of real time PCR for diagnostic cases. The anticipated outcome is a staff of 15 microbiologists trained in real time PCR and able to respond in an outbreak situation. The outcome will be measured by passing NVSL proficiency tests and achieving acceptable ongoing quality assurance for surveillance activities. Training of the visiting scientist from Afghanistan will be accomplished by a combination of tutorials and laboratory experience. Training topics will include: review of general PCR theory and application; high-throughput extraction and PCR procedures; development of real time PCR assays; and training in recombinant technology. The outcome will be measured by successful development of an assay for infectious bursal disease and increased competence of the trainee.