NAHSS Activity Updates, July 2007
Arboviral Reporting Begins For Season
The Arboviral Reporting and Verification Program, a joint project of Veterinary Services Equine Programs, the National Surveillance Unit, Public Health ArboNET, and States, is under way for the 2007 season. This joint program confirms, through State animal health officials, reported cases of equine West Nile virus (WNV), eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), and western equine encephalitis (WEE) reported through the Public Health ArboNET system. Information can be found at the National Animal Health Surveillance System Web site’s equine surveillance information page, http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/nahss/equine/
A two-day workshop on vector-borne diseases was held June 19-20 in Fort Collins, CO. The workshop, entitled "Vector-borne Diseases -- Understanding the Environmental, Human Health, and Ecological Connections," covered the importance of vector-borne diseases; factors of emergence; detection and control; and integration of surveillance strategies. The National Academies Institute of Medicine’s Forum on Microbial Threats sponsored the event. Several Veterinary Services epidemiologists, veterinarians, and other staff members participated in the workshop.
The interagency Rift Valley Fever (RVF) Working Group met July 31 and August 1 in Fort Collins. Meeting participants examined past RVF outbreaks in Africa and the Arabian Peninsula and identified risks of introduction of RVF virus or infected mosquitoes into the United States. The group identified research needs and issues pertaining to diagnostics, vaccines, vector control, and disease ecology in native wildlife species. The working group includes 30-plus participants from more than a dozen government agencies and universities including the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and Agricultural Research Service; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; U.S. Geological Survey; Department of Homeland Security; Department of Defense; and other agencies.
NAHSS Update Featured in USAHA Proceedings
A summary report on the National Animal Health Surveillance System’s (NAHSS) history and activities is included in the proceedings of the 2006 United States Animal Health Association 110th annual meeting. The report describes the NAHSS’ development, objectives, activities, and accomplishments. The proceedings are available online at www.usaha.org.