The NAHLN Quarterly |December 2011| 
Volume 3, No. 3

Founding Principles and Features of the NAHLN 

• Standardized, rapid diagnostic techniques
• Trained personnel, modern equipment
• Quality standards, proficiency testing
• Secure communication, alert reporting system
• Adequate facility biosafety/biosecurity levels
• Scenario testing
• Implemented quality management system

Annual VS Swine Diseases Surveillance Meeting

Getting to Know Us - Christina Loiacono

Christina "Christie" Loiacono recently joined the NAHLN program staff as an Associate Coordinator.  Christie comes to NAHLN from the NVSL Pathobiology Laboratory where she worked as a veterinary pathologist in the Pathology Section specializing in transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) program support and foreign animal disease training.

Christie grew up in southeast Virginia where most of her time was spent with horses and playing various sports.  She attended Virginia Tech, in Blacksburg, VA and received a bachelor's degree in Animal Science followed by a DVM from Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine also on the Virginia Tech campus.  She worked in a private veterinary practice in Maryland for two years before completing an anatomic pathology residency and PhD at the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2002.  Christie worked for three years in veterinary diagnostic laboratories in Missouri and Iowa as an assistant professor/veterinary pathologist teaching veterinary students.  In 2005 she accepted a position with the USDA.

Since starting with NAHLN, Christie has taken on the role of Chief Operations Officer.  She is currently spending the majority of her time reviewing the various processes that provide NAHLN stakeholders with a reliable and consistent program that strives to meet their needs at both the Federal and State/University laboratory levels.  By working closely with NAHLN leadership, Christie is also becoming more involved in many of NAHLN's activities such as supporting foreign animal disease outbreak preparedness, supporting disease surveillance programs, providing quality management system training, and using diagnostic technology and IT capabilities to create an efficient means of sharing information within the network.

In her spare time, Christie enjoys spending time with her husband, Randy, and two children, Sarah age 11 and Ben age 5, as well as with their horses competing in combined driving events.

We are very excited to welcome Christie as a member of the NAHLN team.

Article submitted by Tari Moody, Program Assistant, NAHLN Program Office, USDA APHIS VS NVSL, Ames, Iowa

NAHLN QMS Training Experiences Continuous Improvement

The NAHLN Quality Management System (QMS) training course presented in August 2011 was a great success.  Following the quality tradition of continuous improvement, the NAHLN trainers use evaluations from each class and translate those into improvements and enhancements for future classes.  The training included modifications to the training materials to account for levels of expertise in quality principles among the students, the use of electronic "clickers" to respond to pop quiz questions embedded in each presentation, and improvements to the wet lab stations.

In addition, NAHLN provided Russian translation of the presentations and written materials and live translation for the students from Eastern Europe.  The professional translators were an integral part of the group interactions during both the lectures and workshops, allowing the Russian-speaking students to maximize their understanding and participation.

The QMS online training course is also making continuous improvement as development proceeds.  Students who attended the August 2011 QMS course, in addition to other quality managers across the U.S., have assisted in evaluating the first version of the training module on Corrective Action and provided feedback for improvements.  Students from Kenya and Tanzania, who also attended the August session, assisted with comparison of the online training module and the live course.  They were asked to assess the effectiveness of the online course and whether it could function as stand-alone training or if additional live training was necessary to fully convey the course materials effectively.

As a result of the feedback, improvements are being made to the online Corrective Action module, and those ideas will be carried over as new modules on general quality system principles, internal auditing, document control and more, are created.  Improvements include adding an instructional video on the basic principles of Corrective Action and Root Cause Analysis, separating the "Ask an Expert" video into shorter portions, improving the audio by adding an interviewer asking the questions, clarification of instructions for use and navigation of the site, and structural changes to the site to improve organization.

Information on the NAHLN QMS class and online training was presented via a poster at the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) annual conference in September 2011.  In addition, an overview of the online training was presented at meetings of the AAVLD Quality Assurance Committee and the AAVLD and NAHLN Laboratory Directors Committee.  As development of the online training module continues, additional feedback will be solicited from these groups to continue to improve the online course.  The two groups viewed this online training as a valuable resource for training internal staff on quality principles and are anxious for release of the completed modules.  This online training tool will be a valuable resource for laboratories to train their staff as budget issues put increasing constraints on travel and training expenses.

Article submitted by Patricia Lukens, Quality Systems Manager, Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington

On August 9-10, 2011 NAHLN hosted an IT Messaging training course.  Ten State laboratories from throughout the country were represented with seventeen participants attending.  The training material covered an overview of NAHLN and IT message standards, HL7 content mapping, terminology mapping, message construction options, message transport and security, and message creation.  The sessions included one day of classroom instruction and one day of hands on training.  Trainers were Mike Martin from SC-Clemson Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Jeff Duke from Georgia-Athens Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, and Scott Ross from New York-Animal Health Diagnostic Center.

Update submitted by Cindy Chard-Bergstrom, Microbiologist, NAHLN Program Office, USDA APHIS VS NVSL, Ames, Iowa

NAHLN has collaborated with other groups within APHIS, the National Veterinary Services Laboratories, Wildlife Services, National Surveillance Unit, National Center for Animal Health Programs, and the National Center for Animal Health Emergency Management, to implement surveillance programs.  NAHLN laboratories are participating in surveillance programs for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), classical swine fever (CSF), chronic wasting disease (CWD), scrapie, swine influenza virus (SIV), and swine pseudorabies virus (PRV).

NAHLN laboratories play a critical role in VS surveillance programs by providing rapid standardized testing and results reporting for the above-mentioned diseases that are targeted in national animal disease surveillance initiatives. 

Testing data provided in The NAHLN Quarterly are based on results data that are available at the time of release of the newsletter.  Testing numbers may change in future reports as new information is received and testing data are updated (see article in Volume 3, No. 2 edition titled, "Data dynamics within the SIV Surveillance Program, Why do the reports change?"). 

Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) Surveillance

The USDA has conducted surveillance for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) since 1990.  In 2004, following the December 2003 detection of BSE in an imported cow, USDA implemented an enhanced BSE surveillance program to more accurately determine the prevalence of the disease in the U.S. cattle population.

USDA concluded that the prevalence of BSE in the United States is extremely low (less than 1 case per million adult cattle), and in 2006, transitioned to an ongoing BSE surveillance program that tests at a level more commensurate with this extremely low level of risk.  Ongoing BSE surveillance exceeds guidelines set forth by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), providing for testing at a level 10 times that which is recommended by OIE.

The NAHLN laboratories have provided BSE surveillance testing since 2004.  Currently, six NAHLN laboratories provide diagnostic testing for the BSE surveillance program.  These laboratories continue to conduct testing to detect BSE at the very low level of less than 1 case per million adult cattle, assess any change in the BSE status of U.S. cattle, and identify any rise in BSE prevalence in this country.  The NVSL Pathobiology Laboratory in Ames, Iowa performs surveillance and confirmatory testing on all samples identified as suspect (potential positive) for BSE by the NAHLN laboratories.

The table below shows sample testing performed, by month, for BSE by NAHLN laboratories (not including NVSL).  The total number of samples tested for BSE by NAHLN laboratories in the Federal fiscal year (FY) 2010 (October 2009 through September 2010) was 41,899 and 29,200 samples have been tested during Quarters 1-3 of in FY 2011 (October 2010 through June 2011).

Classical Swine Fever Surveillance

The USDA APHIS WS National Wildlife Disease Program (NWDP) was developed to implement a nationally coordinated surveillance and emergency response system in wildlife.  Its purpose is to safeguard American agriculture, human health and safety, and wildlife populations.  The NWDP is integrated with existing national animal health surveillance infrastructures, such as the NAHLN, to provide an important component in securing animal health, animal-based export trade, and safeguarding public health. With the assistance of State, tribal, Federal, and private cooperators, the NWDP has conducted surveillance and management of over 100 pathogens, toxins, or disease syndromes at local, regional, national, or international scales.

Feral swine sounder in Ohio Photo courtesy of Craig Hicks

The charts below show the number of feral swine samples tested during Federal fiscal year (FY) 2010 and FY 2011 (October 2010 - September 2011) for classical swine fever (CSF), pseudorabies virus (PRV), and swine brucellosis (SB) -- testing was performed either by APHIS personnel or NAHLN laboratories.  NAHLN laboratories also tested feral swine for African swine fever, foot-and-mouth disease virus, porcine circovirus type 2, porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome, and swine influenza virus.

 Article and chart data submitted by Thomas DeLiberto, National Wildlife Disease Coordinator, USDA APHIS WS NWDP, Fort Collins, Colorado  

International QMS Training - Follow-up

The NAHLN laboratories must have a high degree of confidence in the quality of the test results to maintain credibility for surveillance of foreign animal diseases, surge testing during an outbreak, and testing samples during the outbreak recovery phase.  All NAHLN laboratories must be fully accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) or by an accrediting body according to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE)/International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 17025 standard.  If a NAHLN laboratory is not accredited, it must have implemented a quality management system consistent with the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE)/International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 17025 standard, be willing to participate in regular site visits, and must be approved by the USDA APHIS VS NVSL.

It has become clear that a source for training on the important basic concepts and strategies of quality system implementation and management is needed, not only for non-accredited U.S. laboratory staff, but also for laboratory staff around the globe.  To assist NAHLN laboratories in meeting this requirement and to provide assistance to other countries interested in improving their quality management systems, the NAHLN program office offered a Quality Management System (QMS) training course at the National Centers for Animal Health (NCAH) facility in Ames, Iowa on August 3-5, 2011.  The course was open to NAHLN laboratories, as well as to international colleagues at no cost to the participants.  Ten participants from inside the U.S. representing eight States and 13 participants from outside the U.S. including Kenya, Tanzania, Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan took part in the training.

David Korcal delivering QMS training course to participants Photo courtesy of Brian Maki

The three-day training program provided an interactive class environment that included training on such topics as quality management system requirements, document control, internal auditing, corrective actions, and root cause analysis.  Presentations were enhanced to include interactive opportunities during the talks, to increase interest for the students, and help the instructors better gauge whether their message is being understood while their presentations were still in progress.  Two display screens were used so both English and Russian versions of each presentation could be seen, while interpreters translated the speakers during their talks.  In addition, a wet lab provided the opportunity for participants to apply what was learned by conducting an audit and recognizing non-conformances.  Translations of the presentations, workshop documents, and supporting documents for auditing the "wet lab" provided the participants with materials in a familiar language.

At the completion of the training, participants had the opportunity to complete evaluations and provide feedback on their experiences at the QMS training.  A total of 23 (100%) of the evaluations were returned, and overall the training was a very positive experience for both U.S. and international participants with the wet labs garnering the top scores.  Participants also had the opportunity at the beginning of the training week to learn more about the NCAH campus through presentations that provided an overview of NVSL, the Center for Veterinary Biologics, and the National Animal Disease Center.  They were also offered a tour of our facility, which seemed to be another highlight of their experience here.

Article submitted by Christina Loiacono, Associate Coordinator, NAHLN Program Office, USDA APHIS VS NVSL, Ames, Iowa

NAHLN Laboratory Director Feature:  James Britt

James Britt

Laboratory Director

Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission Laboratory

Photo courtesy of W.R. Summers

Academic/laboratory background:

James Britt earned his DVM in 1974 from the University of Missouri and in 1982 earned a MS degree in Pathology from the University of Southern California as well as board certification in veterinary pathology.

What brought you to the NAHLN laboratory?

"I was at the Los Angeles County Veterinary Services lab, a part of the county health department, for 10 years and completed my pathology training there and was eventually the lab director.  I moved to a new veterinary pathology position at Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Lab in 1988 to benefit from being in a full-service lab and for a better quality of life for our family and I have been here since then."  Britt has been Laboratory Director of the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission Laboratory located in Little Rock, Arkansas since August of 2010.

Is there anything unique in your career that you'd like to highlight?

"I was in the old U.S. Air Force Veterinary Corps for 2 years, 1974-76, and serviced as base veterinarian for nearly a year in Taiwan as my first assignment.  I eventually retired from the U.S. Army Reserve as a Lt. Colonel in the Veterinary Corps.  I enjoyed meeting and working with other veterinary pathologists at my yearly 2-3 week assignments including the U.S. Army Institute of Chemical Defense and the veterinary labs in Texas and Germany and at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP).  While in Los Angeles, I did necropsies and histopathology on many hundreds of cases as part of the Marine Mammal Stranding Program and in such capacity, I was well versed in their pathology.  Our main work was small animal and zoo necropsies, tumor biopsies and included some horses and dairy cows.

My schedule at the Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission still includes necropsies and histopathology on all species with somewhat of an emphasis on poultry diseases.  I have been active with the C.L Davis Foundation for Veterinary Pathology since beginning my pathology training in 1978.  I have been the Director of the Foundation's Veterinary Student Externship Program for 30 years and I have found a 1-2 month training 'lab home' for more than 70 students over the years and I have worked directly with about 50 in my labs.  I am also the director of the Davis Foundation's South Central Division and assist in planning our annual slide conference meeting in Galveston which has been held for 21 years."

Do you have any hobbies that you'd like to share with us?

"My wife, Sally, and I are active with our United Methodist Church and I have been a Boy Scout leader for more than 30 years, as a Scoutmaster, and now an assistant at the troop and district levels.  I am the 'Dean' of our council's annual Merit Badge University that offers about 60 merit badge subjects to 800 Boy Scouts in Little Rock.  I am president of the local bicycle club and ride about 5000 miles each year and I enjoy occasional multi-day self-supported tour rides and occasional short backpacking trips with our adult son, Adam."

Lastly, why is NAHLN important to you?

"It is important to me because it gives me coordination and communication with other laboratories when needed for assistance with questions or work load. NAHLN is important to our laboratory in offering proficiency testing on diseases that we normally would not be experienced with.  This helps assure that our routine work is also done in the same high standard.  We also benefit greatly from the quality assurance training that is sponsored by NAHLN."

Interviewed by Jill Brown, Program Analyst, NAHLN Program Office, USDA APHIS VS NVSL, Ames, Iowa

VS Update - Changes to CWD Program

The beginning of the Federal fiscal (FY) 2012 brings many changes across the country due to budgetary constraints.  Based on the President's proposed FY 2012 budget, the funding for the CWD Program is expected to be substantially decreased this fiscal year.  Although we do not yet know what the final FY 2012 Congressional budget will be, it is anticipated that the CWD Program budget will be reduced by $13.9 million, leaving the program with approximately $1.925 million in funding.

Given this anticipated funding level, certain APHIS-supported CWD Program activities will be discontinued or eliminated such as indemnity, cooperative agreements with State wildlife agencies for wild cervid surveillance, and funding for CWD research projects conducted at the APHIS Wildlife Services' National Wildlife Research Center.  This refocused national CWD program will result in general Federal oversight and essential regulatory functions which will be administered at the Federal level.  Participating States will implement the voluntary national CWD herd certification program pending publication and enactment of the CWD amended final rule which is in Departmental clearance.

APHIS support for CWD testing of farmed cervids will be discontinued after December 31, 2011.  Cervid producers are encouraged to submit their CWD samples as soon as possible while FY 2012 funding remains available.  Thereafter, the APHIS-approved CWD testing laboratories and NVSL will establish 'user fees' as a direct charge to the producers for routine CWD testing.  NVSL will continue to provide confirmatory testing for any presumptive CWD positive samples from farmed and wild cervids.

Article submitted by Patrice Klein, Senior Staff Veterinarian, CWD Program Manager, USDA APHIS VS NCAHP in Riverdale, Maryland and Christina Loiacono, Associate Coordinator, NAHLN Program Office, USDA APHIS VS NVSL in Ames, Iowa

Below you will find various NAHLN Procedure Manuals, the date of the latest version, and either a weblink or contact where they are available:

Classical Swine Fever Surveillance Procedure Manual, latest version dated April 2007

Pseudorabies Surveillance Procedure Manual, Version 1.3, latest version dated October 2010

Procedure Manual for Vesicular Stomatitis Viruses (VSV), latest version dated January 2008

Influenza Surveillance in Swine Procedures Manual, latest version dated July 2010

Acronym Key

Click here for Volume 3, No. 3