October 23, 2003

 

NDSU Biosurveillance Initiative

North Dakota State University, Dickinson State University and the NDSU Dickinson and Hettinger Agriculture Research Extension Centers are working collaboratively on a biosurveillance initiative. "Our goal is to rapidly identify, diagnose, contain or prevent a disease outbreak in North Dakota livestock and crops," according to Doug Freeman, NDSU department of Veterinary and Microbiological Sciences department head.

"The potential threat of animal or plant disease introduction is significant, since North Dakota has extensive livestock and crop industries," Freeman says. "We have expansive open range with a large international border, a high volume of livestock imports, extensive movement of animals out of the state and a major crop export industry."

The key initiative components are:

• The enhancement of veterinary diagnostics
• Support of infectious disease research
• A rapid response team at the Dickinson and Hettinger Research Centers to livestock disease outbreaks
• The development of a state-of-the-art communications center at Dickinson State University
• A partnership between NDSU, DSU, the North Dakota Department of Health, the North Dakota state veterinarian and the North Dakota Veterinary Reserve Corps.
• Collaboration with regional and national diagnostics networks
• Enhancing the capabilities of the NDSU plant diagnostic lab
• Extension training programs and disaster communication preparation

A key to the initiative is the new NDSU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory’s biosafety level 3 laboratory. Biosafety level 3 laboratories are able to work with infectious organisms that can cause serious disease. Special equipment is needed to handle samples and access is limited.

"With the new laboratory, microbiologists will be able to expand diagnostic services. Research focused at the molecular level will address causes, diagnosis, and prevention of infectious disease," Freeman says. "Models will be developed for novel vaccines and rapid diagnostics."

At Dickinson State University, new methods for rapid communication and training to veterinarians, public health and regulatory officials, livestock producers and customs inspectors will be assessed and enhanced. "The DSU communications center will be critical to rapid interactions between those in the field and the diagnostic network being set up," Freeman says. Included in the DSU component will be Geographic Information Systems and Global Positioning Systems technology.

The rapid response team at the Dickinson and Hettinger Research Extension Centers will be equipped and trained to gather information and manage livestock disease outbreaks. The rapid response team will also partner with the North Dakota Veterinary Reserve Corps and DSU.

The NDSU Extension Service will develop education programs for producers, veterinarians, border guards, law enforcement and other "first observer" groups. "Pembina is one of the busiest livestock ports of entry in the United States so it’s important that border guards stationed there are well-trained in biosurveillance," Freeman says.

"When the surveillance and containment strategies are in place, we will work with producers, public health agencies, law enforcement and the Immigration and Naturalization Service to develop and implement policies," Freeman says.

The biosurveillance initiative is funded through a federal government relations grant through the office of North Dakota U.S. Senator Byron Dorgan’s office.

###

Source: Doug Freeman, (701) 231-8504, douglas.freeman@ndsu.nodak.edu
Editor: Rich Mattern, (701) 231-6136, richard.mattern@ndsu.nodak.edu