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The general role of ISU is to support USDA to plan, implement and monitor its international outreach to partner countries in the areas of: 1 Animal health laboratory infrastructure to prevent, detect and control avian influenza cases among susceptible animals. 2 Performance of USDA validated protocols for detection, diagnostics and characterization of avian influenza in animal-derived samples. 3 National plans and capacities for overall preparedness and well-coordinated responses to avian influenza outbreaks among animals.
NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: <p>Because of the ongoing cases of High Pathogen Avian Influenza (HPAI) in poultry and the associated human deaths in South East Asia and Eurasia, this initiative is a high priority to the U.S. public and private sectors, where many participants and experts are actively engaged. <p>In order to help USDA's participation in emergency response technical assistance activities, USDA desires the assistance of ISU to facilitate technical training and outreach activities to international partners. ISU will coordinate implementation of the proposed work with USDA.
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ISU is expected to provide logistical and coordination support for arranging lodging, local transportation, and lunches and evening events for course participants, provide training manuals and printed supplies, and assist in the development of scientific outreach materials. Salaries and benefits of ISU personnel will be compensated based upon their assignment to support international activities of USDA to combat avian influenza. The primary activity is an intensive training of trainers course to be held in Ames, Iowa on HPAI testing and diagnostics for an international group of 24 senior-level veterinarians and poultry disease experts. Participants will represent countries that have requested USDA technical assistance in laboratory procedures and protocols for the diagnosis of H5N1 HPAI virus in animals, including: <br>1 Real-time, reverse-transcription, polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). <br>2 Agar gel immuno-diffusion (AGID). <br>3 Enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA). <br>4 HI test. <br>5 Virus isolation. <p>Lectures and wet-lab exercises will cover clinical differential HPAI diagnosis and the above tests and methods for virus characterization. The participants will return to their countries with the knowledge and skills necessary to: <br>1 Guide establishment of appropriate laboratory infrastructure to support HPAI diagnostic programs. <br>2 Conduct accurate timely testing and diagnoses of suspected HPAI cases. <br>3 Advise on laboratory quality and safety measures to handle HPAI diagnostics. <br>4 Advise on official reporting mechanisms for HPAI cases. <br>5 Deliver training to additional laboratory personnel in HPAI diagnostic procedures.