The NAHLN Update 2018
Volume 9, No. 1
THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE NATIONAL ANIMAL HEALTH LABORATORY NETWORK (NAHLN)
A STATE AND FEDERAL PARTNERSHIP TO SAFEGUARD ANIMAL HEALTH 
Founding Principles and Features of the NAHLN
  • Operate within a quality management system
  • Establish and maintain competency of laboratory personnel
  • Use Standardized protocols, reference materials, and equipment
  • Use facilities with biosafety/biosecurity levels requisite for testing performed
  • Participate in communications and real time electronic reporting systems
  • Evaluate preparedness (identify and prioritize gaps) through scenario testing 
In This Issue:

New Briefs

NCAH Portal for NVSL Submissions

Getting to know us: Dr. Kimberly Dodd

Messaging is a priority for NAHLN

NAHLN Laboratory Director Feature:
Dr. W. Russ Summers

With Great Partnerships Come Great Responsibilities - Part 3

Round up
NEWS BRIEFS :


March 19, 2018 – 1:00 – 2:00 PM CST NAHLN Coordinating Council call

March 27, 2018 – 10:00- 11:00 AM CST AMR pilot projects call

March 29, 2018 – 1:00 – 2:30 PM CST NAHLN Director’s Quarterly call

April 4, 2018 - 10:00 - 11:00 AM CST NAHLN IT Committee - Core call

April 11, 2018 - 10:00 - 11:00 AM CST NAHLN Method Technical working group - Core call

April 16, 2018 - 1:00 - 2:00 PM CST NAHLN Coordinating Council call
   Current Number of Subscribers: 
1616
NAHLN Success Stories
Please submit your NAHLN success stories to share in upcoming issues of the NAHLN Update Newsletter. 

Click here to submit your NAHLN success stories!
NCAH Portal for NVSL Submissions
As the diagnostic testing environment becomes more complex, the need to streamline other processes to save time and resources becomes imperative. The National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) is making the process of submitting paperwork for VS 10-4 submissions easier for our customers, having launched an electronic VS 10-4 (general submission form). The E-submission both modernizes our process and improves customer service for submitters. E-submissions save time for submitters. Data entry is quick and legible which makes for greater data integrity. A submitter need only acquire a Level 1 eAuthentication username and password to access the National Centers for Animal Health (NCAH) portal for electronic submission (see hyperlinks below).
 
The NCAH portal offers some key timesaving features for NVSL customers. Data input by submitters and owners may be quickly cloned from prior submissions, stored, and selected to populate fields in an instant by using a personalized address book after a first submission. The electronic VS 10-4 form also uses dynamic lists and reusable data for fillable fields. Owners/submitters may add delegates to their accounts to submit on their behalf. Past submissions and associated final reports may also be accessed and viewed in the NCAH Portal for up to a year after completion.
 
The online form will not replace the fillable PDF version of the VS 10-4 form. The original form is still available for use where internet connectivity is not available or in those instances where a paper copy is preferred. The links below have been made available to our stakeholders in a recent bulletin to encourage online submissions (Level 1 eAuthentication - click HERE ; Level 1 eAuthentication signup - click HERE ; NCAH Portal - click HERE ).
 
As we approach the end of FY 2018, additional forms will be made available to our customers. The following forms are being developed: VS 17-31 (Equine Import Testing Submission); VS 6-35 (Report of Tuberculosis Lesions or Thoracic Granulomas in Regular Kill Animals); and the VS 10-3 (Request for Salmonella Serotyping). The NVSL will request assistance to dry run submission of these forms before going live. If you would benefit from electronic submission of these forms, including the VS 10-4, we encourage you to set up by clicking through the links above. Your participation and feedback will be much appreciated. To participate in the testing and feedback phase, after signing up, please send an email to with your name: VS.STAS.NVSL.Portal.Submissions@aphis.usda.gov .

Article submitted by Nathan Fisher Program Analyst, Director's Office, USDA APHIS VS STAS NVSL, Ames, IA and Traci Imlau, Program Assistant, NAHLN Program Office, USDA APHIS VS STAS NVSL, Ames, IA.
Getting to know US:  Dr. Kimberly Dodd
Dr. Kimberly Dodd
Director, Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory
 
Dr. Kimberly Dodd received a Baccalaureate of Psychology and Masters in Population Biology and Disease Ecology from the University of Virginia. After completing prerequisite courses for veterinary school at the University of Pittsburg, she received a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine and Doctorate of Philosophy in Comparative Pathology from the University of California, at Davis.
 
Before joining the Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Dr. Dodd served as the Senior Scientist at Metabiota, a company focused on enhancing laboratory and surveillance capacity globally to prepare, prevent, and respond to disease outbreaks. She worked extensively in Central and West Africa to develop laboratory capacity, facilitate collaborations with international agencies and African governments, and served as Program Director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Global Health Security Agenda. Prior to that, Dr. Dodd worked in the Viral Special Pathogens Branch (VSPB) at the CDC, where she developed a novel vaccine for Rift Valley fever virus and characterized animal models for the hemorrhagic fever viruses (including Ebola, Lassa, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, and Rift Valley fever viruses). As a member of VSPB, she was deployed to Uganda and Sierra Leone to establish and run diagnostic field laboratories during the Ebola and Marburg outbreaks.
Dr. Dodd began her Federal career November 2017 as the FADDL Director. She spent several years at the CDC in Atlanta as a guest researcher and not a federal employee.  Dr. Dodd described her current work duties in regards to NAHLN .  
 
“As FADDL Director, I look forward to strengthening an already collaborative relationship with NAHLN. One of our key priorities is to provide timely support for assay development and validation. In the face of FADDL’s increasing diagnostic workload, it will require working together to identify ways to streamline testing algorithms, assays and protocols to ensure that we can meet NAHLN’s needs and provide rapid diagnostic results in FAD investigations.”
When asked to share an unusual or interesting job experience, Dr. Dodd replied,
 
“ Throughout college, I worked as an exercise rider on a training track at Montpelier (James Madison’s historic home) in rural Virginia, working mostly with young, green horses. When I went home to Long Island one summer, I was offered a job working as an exercise rider at Belmont racetrack. Thrilled to have the opportunity to ride on the track there, I didn’t pause to consider the difference in caliber and strength between the young horses in Virginia and seasoned racehorses at Belmont – until my second day, when the filly I was riding took off with me –- going the wrong direction on the track!”

Dr. Dodd is looking forward to having the opportunity to work closely with the NAHLN program. She understood from her previous experience in Africa and, specifically during outbreaks, that a strong laboratory network is critical for detection, response to, and control of emerging infectious disease outbreaks.
Originally from Long Island, she is glad to be back in the Northeast and closer to her family. She lives in Connecticut with her boyfriend Jason and their two pets: Royce, an extraordinarily goofy mutt and Pink, a cat with seemingly opposable thumbs.
Since college, Dr. Dodd has lived in eight states (OR, VA, PA, CA, GA, MD, DC, and now CT)! In each new place, she always made it a priority to seek out the best dog-friendly hiking trails. In addition to hiking with Royce, in her spare time, she enjoys doing hot yoga, cooking, and exploring the area.
Oh behalf of the NAHLN Program Staff, welcome Dr. Dodd!

Article submitted by Traci Imlau, Program Assistant, NAHLN Program Office, USDA APHIS VS STAS NVSL, Ames, IA.
Messaging is a Priority for NAHLN
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Internal (VS program commodity staff, incident management, coordination staff) and external (industry, state officials, producers) stakeholders have all identified the ability to electronically message test results in real-time as a priority for NAHLN laboratories. Those making decisions need to use real time data during an outbreak situation. Currently, more than 50 percent of NAHLN laboratories are capable of electronically messaging at least one of the NAHLN scope diseases.

Messages can be accepted into the Laboratory Messaging System (LMS) for eight of the NAHLN scope diseases including :
  • Avian Influenza
  • Swine Influenza
  • Foot and Mouth Disease
  • African Swine Fever
  • Pseudorabies
  • Vesicular Stomatitis
  • Classical Swine Fever
  • Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy.
 
The number of NAHLN laboratories working towards messaging capability is increasing as the laboratories gain technical expertise in-house and receive technical support from LMS and NAHLN program staff. The NAHLN program office (NPO) supports messaging efforts in NAHLN laboratories by coordinating mentoring relationships between laboratories, providing training opportunities specific to messaging, and providing messaging exercises. Training webinars cover both general information on messaging as well as specific training to set up and maintain messaging within the individual laboratory information management systems (LIMS) used by NAHLN laboratories. The messaging exercises have identified specific gaps present in various messaging implementation and maintenance processes such as the need for laboratories to routinely test their ability to electronically message test results for diseases without routine surveillance sample streams. To address this need, the NAHLN program staff is working with the LMS staff to develop messaging competencies or proficiency tests (PT) that can be offered quarterly to NAHLN laboratories for the diseases listed above. For avian influenza and foot and mouth disease, messaging competencies will be offered each quarter. The other NAHLN scope diseases that can be messaged will have two messaging competency opportunities offered each year. The APHIS Laboratory Portal will be used to manage these PTs in a manner similar to other PTs. NAHLN laboratories will register for messaging competencies and receive instruction for completing the process. Results will be evaluated once messages are sent to LMS. We hope to have messaging competencies available to laboratories in the next couple months. Look for more information about this upcoming opportunity! 


Article submitted by Christina Loiacono, DVM, PhD , DACVP, Coordinator, NAHLN Program Office, USDA APHIS VS STAS NVSL, Ames, IA.
NAHLN Laboratory Director Feature
Dr. W. Russ Summers
Director, Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission Laboratory
 
Dr. Russ Summers received a Baccalaureate of Science in Chemistry from Harding University in Searcy, AR. He earned a Doctorate of Philosophy in Analytical Chemistry from Texas A&M University. Dr. Summers’ research focused on high-energy, heavy-ion desorption mass spectrometry. Dr. Summers notes that,
 
“ There were no commercial instruments that met our needs at that time. So we designed and fabricated our own. This experience instilled in me a healthy skepticism for experimental data which still serves me to this day some 30 years later. My post-doctorate was at the National Institute of Standards, where we tinkered with using high-energy lasers to desorb intact molecular ions from substrates prepared using colloidal silver, the predecessor of today’s Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization (MALDI) Mass Spectrometry .”
 
What brought you to the NAHLN laboratory?
 
“I joined the Arkansas Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in 2008 as Chief Chemist in the Toxicology section. Perhaps the attribute that got me hired was the breadth of my experience: I’ve worked in the private sector, been self-employed, taught, worked in Federal government – and now, state government. I inherited an extremely well-run laboratory, and was fortunate to have talented and dedicated co-workers that brought me up to speed quite rapidly. Over the years, several Lab Directors tasked me with organizational leadership duties, ranging from Quality Manager to Deputy Lab Director.”
 
How long have you been Director?
 
“I was Deputy Director for about 18 months prior to being named Director in July 2017. I was fortunate to learn the ropes from a workflow-oriented pathologist. I’m a process guy by nature, so our working relationship was extremely fruitful—and I am still implementing strategies developed through the collaboration with my former boss.”
 
Why is NAHLN important to you?
 
“I cut my teeth on standardizing test methods, so NAHLN’s approach to test protocols is right up my alley. Grant funds allow me a great deal of flexibility in meeting the lab’s training, quality, and equipment acquisition needs. We’ve completed re-modeling lab space for Chronic Wasting Disease testing, and NAHLN funds are allocated for procurement of the ELISA equipment. Finally, NAHLN staff members are always extremely helpful in fielding my questions out of left-field.”
 
Before working at your current position, what was the most unusual or interesting job you had?
 
“I worked for a toxicology consulting firm and was dispatched to post-Katrina New Orleans to conduct GC/MS analysis of environmental samples out of the back of my rented SUV. I was on my own for many days and travelled the Gulf Coast between New Orleans and Mobile. I slept on the floor of a chemical plant’s community room with dozens of snoring guys and ate MREs. One day, in New Orleans, an enormous, shiny, green-and-white helicopter hovered over the Emergency Operations Center for several minutes. Uniformed personnel snapped to attention. The helicopter never did land.”
 
Are there any random facts about yourself that you want to share?
 
“I have set myself a goal to canoe the Buffalo National River each month of the year. I’m missing February, September, and one or two others.”
 
Do you have any hobbies that you’d like to share?
 
“I’m a serious amateur photographer, aspiring to be less of both. My flash-based website is www.roosterphoto.com .”

Welcome to the NAHLN, Dr. Summers!

Article submitted by Traci Imlau, Program Assistant, NAHLN Program Office, USDA APHIS VS STAS NVSL, Ames, IA.
With Great Partnerships Come Great Responsibilities…
Part 3 of 5
NAHLN laboratories may be involved in surveillance for early detection of foreign animal disease, surge testing during an outbreak, and testing samples during the outbreak recovery phase. As such, there must be a high degree of confidence in the quality of the laboratories and associated test results. The potential consequences of a foreign animal disease outbreak could be catastrophic. Therefore, it is important that the needs and expectations of the NAHLN meet this challenge be defined and agreed to by all participating parties.
The Agreement for Participation in the National Animal Health Laboratory Network is a document that is completed annually by all laboratories requesting or renewing NAHLN approval. The purpose of this document is to serve as a transparent agreement which describes, communicates, and ensures commitment by the relevant State and Federal parties to the expectations for membership of a veterinary diagnostic laboratory in the NAHLN. This document must be signed by the following personnel:
  • Laboratory Director
  • Responsible Official (RO - in Select Agent registered laboratories) or Biosafety Officer
  • Dean of College (if appropriate)
  • State Animal Health Official (SAHO)
  • APHIS-Veterinary Services (VS) District Director (DD) or Assistant District Director (AD)
  • State Department of Agriculture Director, Agriculture Commissioner, or equivalent.
There are 20 standards that must be understood and agreed to by each participating laboratory and stakeholders—covering such topics as disease approval requests, quality management, testing requirements, sample handling, communication and reporting, and support of the NAHLN mission. While some of the standards are the same for all laboratories, there are some standards that are worded specifically for the responsibilities at the different levels of participation (Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, or Affiliate).
While this document is generally handled at the executive levels of management, it is important for all laboratory personnel to have an understanding of what is required in the agreement and how it may apply to them. This 5-part series is meant to discuss the standards that are listed in the agreement and why they are important for NAHLN participation. 
Part 3 will discuss Standards 9-13 regarding sample handling. Links are available to direct you to the specific standard for each of the different levels of participation.

Standard 9: Sample Handling Procedures ( Link – L1 ) ( Link – L2/L3/Affiliate )
Standard 9 reinforces the importance for a NAHLN Laboratory to establish and continually review procedures for sample/specimen receiving. Issues such as safety, worker training, work flow, and facility requirements (based on biosafety level) should be taken into consideration when working with potentially high-consequence agents/diseases. Because many of the agents/diseases under NAHLN scope are select agents, it is important that NAHLN laboratories are familiar with the select agent requirements, even if they are not select agent registered.   Different NAHLN laboratory designations have different levels of responsibility described below.
  • Level 1 laboratories. All NAHLN laboratories must have developed and reviewed their laboratory’s guidelines and SOPs to ensure consistency with agent-specific issues of laboratory safety, sample/specimen handling, worker training, select agent materials, and facility requirements associated with their agent- specific approvals. Level 1 laboratories must also have and maintain Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) laboratory space that is adequate for the work performed.

  • Level 2/3/Affiliate laboratories. All NAHLN laboratories must have developed and reviewed their laboratory’s guidelines and SOPs to ensure consistency with agent-specific issues of laboratory safety, sample/specimen handling, worker training, select agent materials, and facility requirements associated with their agent- specific approvals. (No requirement for BSL-3 laboratory space).

This is important to ensure that NAHLN laboratories are prepared to handle whatever samples may come through their doors, particularly if a high consequence agent/disease is suspected. NAHLN Laboratories must have the appropriate BSL laboratory space for the agents/disease which they are approved to test for. The additional requirement for Level 1 laboratories to have and maintain sufficient BSL-3 laboratory space works in conjunction with their responsibility to maintain capacity for surge testing during an outbreak (Standard#1).

Standard 10:  Sample Shipment ( Link – All )
Standard 10 requires that all NAHLN laboratories have personnel trained and qualified to ship hazardous materials (including organisms and vectors), and to have and maintain the permits necessary to appropriately ship and receive these samples.
This is important to ensure laboratories are able to receive the appropriate material to conduct NAHLN testing (controls, proficiency tests, etc.), and to send suspect samples to NVSL for confirmation. Proper shipment of these materials ensures the health and safety of laboratory personnel, courier personnel, and the animals and environment along the way.

Standard 11: Handling of Select Agents ( Link – All )
Standard 11 emphasizes the importance of understanding and following the Select Agent requirements for the receipt, possession, use, storage, shipping, transfer, and notification of such agents. The APHIS Laboratory Portal contains a section for each laboratory to enter information regarding select agent registration, which will be viewable only to the individual laboratory and the NAHLN Program Office. The completion of this section is strictly voluntary, but information provided may be used in preparedness planning.

This is important to ensure a level of standardization in the handling and notification of select agents identified through NAHLN testing. Because many of the agents/diseases under NAHLN scope are select agents, it is important that NAHLN laboratories are familiar with the select agent requirements, even if they are not select agent registered.

Standard 12: Sample testing and unforeseen circumstances
Standard 12 highlights importance of the planning and communication, particularly during times when an unforeseen circumstance could negatively impact a laboratory’s ability to ensure timely testing of samples and reporting of results. Issues such as equipment failure, insufficient resources to perform assays, or sample numbers exceeding testing capacity can happen without warning and can quickly cause a backlog. If a situation arises which may negatively impact their testing capabilities, NAHLN laboratories must contact the NAHLN Program Office to discuss the situation and possible solutions. Options may include, but not limited to, identification of additional equipment or reagents, transfer of personnel, or redirection of samples to another NAHLN laboratory. 
 
This is important to ensure that samples continue to be tested and reported in a timely manner. It is also important for a NAHLN laboratory in the midst of an outbreak to remember that they are not alone! There is an entire network on laboratories with capabilities and capacities that are standing ready to assist as needed. It is essential to contact the NAHLN Program Office to discuss your specific situation and any concerns the laboratory or the state may have so that the appropriate solution can be reached, which will not only mitigate a backlog, but will meet the needs of all stakeholders. 

Standard 13: Suspected Bio-terrorist (BT) event ( Link – All )
Standard 13 outlines the requirement for all NAHLN Laboratories to establish a line of communication with the Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Coordinator at their local Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Field Office. This point of contact would need to be notified if the NAHLN Laboratory suspected that samples received/tested originated from a potential bio-terrorist event.

This is important to ensure that the appropriate communications are initiated quickly if a bio-terrorism event is suspected. This notification will lead to a targeted investigation to determine the possible source of the introduction of the disease (trace back). NAHLN laboratories will need to identify areas of secure storage for samples, as well as procedures for chain-of-custody and evidence collection/preservation to support the potential evidentiary requirements of the FBI.

Article submitted by Kelly Burkhart, Microbiologist, NAHLN Program Office, USDA APHIS VS STAS NVSL, Ames, IA.
Round up:
WS
The NAHLN Methods Technical working group (MTWG) transition to a new model structure has been a success. The new structure adds bi-monthly general membership calls and established a membership rotation to the core group. 
The general membership calls are a forum to received information / updates related to technical projects. Participants on the call are asked to provide input on technical matters, volunteer to review proposals, documents and/or participate in sub-working groups. This group meets the second Wednesday of odd months of the calendar year.
The core group leads the work of the MTWG and is composed of representation from NAHLN laboratories and VS. The expectations of the core group members are to review, comment and provide feedback on documents, lead sub-working groups and input of new projects for MTWG. The core group communicates through conference calls and face to face meetings as needed.
Welcome to the new members of the MTWG core group:
  • Rebecca Wilkes - University of Georgia Tifton Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory 
  • Akhilesh Ramachandran - Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory
  • Donna Mulrooney - Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.
 
Thank you to the members rotating off the MTWG core group:
  • Kathy Kurth – formerly of the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
  • Amy Glaser – Cornell University Animal Health Diagnostic Center
  • Deepanker Tewari - Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. 

Article submitted by Traci Imlau, Program Assistant, NAHLN Program Office, USDA APHIS VS STAS NVSL, Ames, IA.
Input Welcome! 
We appreciate hearing from you! Are there other topics that you would like to hear about? Please email your comments to us at NAHLN@aphis.usda.gov .   
NAHLN Facts

The following link show a map and laboratory list of laboratories that have been approved as part of the  NAHLN Testing Network .
Acronym Key