National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN)

emerging diseases
resolution and position statement

National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) BACKGROUND: United States animal disease and surveillance would function most effectively as a shared responsibility of publicly funded state animal health laboratories, represented by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD), and federal animal health laboratories administered through the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). The basic infrastructure of a national laboratory network would provide critical features including:

· A secure communication, reporting and alert system

· Standardized, rapid diagnostic techniques that can be used at the state, regional and national level

· Modernized equipment and experienced personnel trained in the detection of emergent, foreign and bioterrorist agents

· A national training, proficiency testing and quality assurance system to ensure that all laboratories in the system meet quality standards

· Federal and state facility upgrades to meet biocontainment requirements

· Periodic scenario testing of the network and the associated response network

In 2002, the USDA established a pilot NAHLN that included twelve state labs. In 2004, the USDA announced the expansion of the NAHLN to include all labs that currently have a diagnostic testing contract with the USDA. This includes labs testing for prion diseases, exotic Newcastle Disease, and Avian Influenza and represents a major expansion of the NAHLN.

RESOLUTION: The National Institute for Animal Agriculture (NIAA) supports the ongoing development of a state and federal partnership to safeguard animal health through the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN). This partnership provides an enhanced, coordinated, and modernized NAHLN. This effort should continue until the NAHLN includes all AAVLD accredited and/or USDA approved veterinary diagnostic labs, to cover the entire U.S. The NIAA supports the President’s proposed FY 2006 budget, which provides $30M to the USDA CSREES to support the ongoing development of plant and animal diagnostic lab networks. However, initial startup fund needs on the animal side were estimated to be near $100M with annual maintenance/operational expenses of $23M. NIAA encourages ongoing support and continued enhancements to the President’s proposed budget relative to the NAHLN.

Approved: 2002 | Amended: 2003 | Amended: 2004 | Amended: 2005

The purpose of the Emerging Diseases committee to recognize the potential that exists for foreign diseases to be transmitted from other countries to the United States. This NIAA committee takes the leadership in monitoring exotic diseases while attempting to stay abreast of new information concerning pathogenesis, transmission, and treatment of exotic diseases that could be damaging to the U.S. livestock industry.

Reprinting of this resolution is encouraged.