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Diagnostics: The new H7 PCR will be implemented and training/cert. of staff will be completed. The results of the research outlined under Output 5 regarding AI master-mix stability and RNA extraction platforms will be presented for consideration by APHIS as a way to significantly streamline the response capability of NAHLN Labs in an emergency. The techniques being researched may also increase testing throughput at NAHLN labs without requiring significant further investment in equipment for extraction. <P>
Training & Education: Two additional technical staff will be trained and certified for AI testing. We will cross-train 3 additional personnel to work providing bench support for AI testing (sample identification, initial processing, aliquoting, and storage) within a BL3 lab environment. This will allow the individuals certified in AI testing to concentrate their efforts on the extraction and PCR phases of the work, while maximizing throughput of samples. Training of at least two people in egg-inoculation and isolation of AI is also anticipated. <P>IT & Data Management: Begin aliasing in the Cerner production environment. Continue maintenance of aliases in response to NAHLN terminology updates. Review and revise the current Cerner core build processes to accommodate aliasing for the NAHLN. <P>Public Relations: Careful analysis and planning prior to an emergency is required to alleviate concerns within the DCPAH staff, Michigan State University, and the community regarding testing for highly infectious disease of livestock, particularly zoonotic agents. Our Emergency Action Plan will take these factors into consideration and will outline a plan for communication within the DCPAH, Michigan State University and the community. At various educational events and presentations throughout the year, we will take the opportunity to educate groups about the role of DCPAH in NAHLN and LRN including why it is important to have facilities with staff that are ready to conduct such testing in the face of a disease outbreak. Furthermore, we will discuss/demonstrate the features of the facility and our laboratory practices that make DCPAH a safe environment for such activities. <P>Interface with Research: Drs. Steve Bolin, Roger Maes, and Annabel Wise have a funded cooperative agreement with the Southeast Regional Poultry Lab of ARS to evaluate several factors relating to the performance of AI RT-PCR analyses. Specifically, they are evaluating the stability of frozen master-mix with time, the relative sensitivity of various platforms for extraction of AI viral RNA from bird feces, and are conducting a cost analysis of the various proposed protocols. The work will directly apply to NAHLN procedures and may result in streamlining of protocols and decreases in costs associated with NAHLN testing.
NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: In the event of an animal health emergency, such as introduction of a foreign animal disease in Michigan, our laboratory would likely be called upon by the MDA, MDNR, MDCH, or activated by the NAHLN to process large numbers of samples in a very short timeframe. The DCPAH is a very large and busy laboratory with a national client base, and our ability to meet the needs of these clients would be in jeopardy if large numbers of samples were to arrive as part of the incursion of a foreign animal disease. Since over 80% of our operating budget is generated from income, loss of a portion of this clientele due to our inability to provide them with timely results would likely cause a long- term financial hardship for the laboratory that could lead to reductions in staff. With supplemental funding provided through a cooperative agreement, additional trained staff would be retained and available to handle the increased caseload. In the future, additional funding for expanding numbers of receiving room personnel (for entering cases) and technical staff (for processing tests, reporting results, packaging and shipping presumptive positive samples, maintaining inventories of reagents and materials) would greatly augment our ability to meet the expected needs of the animal health community. Funding is critical to allow the laboratory to continue to participate at the current level of testing and will help the DCPAH commit an increased number of personnel to be trained to conduct the testing that can drive the continued development of the NAHLN interface. Equally important, funding is needed to support the increased laboratory and administrative workload associated with receiving samples for these tests and reporting results of these tests in a format not routinely used by the DCPAH. We are frequently doing double data entry to capture testing results in both our LIMS system and in the preferred reporting format for each unit requesting results for their particular surveillance request. Continued development of the NAHLN interface and acceptance by the supporting constituency groups should help minimize this duplication of effort. In addition to the continued development of laboratory personnel and processes, in order to continue development of the NAHLN interface, additional core build and aliasing activities need to be performed on the existing LIMS system. This would expand our current reporting capability from 3 tests (CSF, NDV, and AI) to all currently identified Select Agents. Aliasing and maintaining SnoMed codes will become more problematic and labor intensive as the list of tests and species continues to expand. Interface configuration and testing as the NAHLN database develops and allows additional data will require more robust testing at a higher volume. Our current surveillance efforts will support this once the investment in the technical build can be made.
<P>APPROACH: The DCPAH has recently undergone an accreditation review from the AAVLD where both laboratory performance and the Quality System were inspected. Preparation for this review significantly enhanced the laboratorys documented practices, and a number of SOPs were developed to address specific NAHLN-related activities: SOPs in Place ADMN.017.02 Reportable Diseases in Michigan ADMN.032.01 LRN Activities ADMN.037.01 Reporting the Identification of a Select Biological Agent or Toxin ADMN.039.04 Biosecurity Policy Regarding Work with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus These SOPs and the continued development of other supporting processes within the Diagnostic Center prepare the laboratory for an animal agriculture catastrophe. The DCPAH continues to move forward to reach NAHLN goals through many of its strategic initiatives as mentioned above. Continue participation in the CREES Cooperative Agreement for the NAHLN is a required activity for this laboratory.