USDA FAQ's and resources about coronavirus (COVID-19). LEARN MORE
Meeting national needs for diagnostic testing for foreign and emerging diseases is a critical responsibility that requires accuracy and timeliness in testing. The NAHLN has established and implemented the following founding principles in order to ensure confidence in diagnostic test results, both domestically and internationally:
All Level 1 and Level 2 NAHLN laboratories must either be accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD), or by an independent third party accrediting body according to the ISO 17025 standard covering general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. If a Level 3, Affiliate or Specialty NAHLN laboratory is not accredited, it must have a functional quality system in place that is consistent with these ISO 17025 standards. Additionally, these laboratories must be willing to participate in regular site visits and must be approved by the NAHLN Program Office for performing testing on behalf of APHIS-VS.
To learn more about AAVLD’s requirements for accredited veterinary medical diagnostic laboratories, click here. Further information about ISO/IEC 17025:2005 standards can be found here.
Diseases under NAHLN Scope: NAHLN laboratories are trained, proficiency tested, and follow standardized testing protocols for the following diseases and animal species:
Disease* |
Animal Species |
Laboratories approved for testing |
Swine |
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Cattle |
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Captive cervids (deer, elk) |
(approved NAHLN laboratories--IHC)(approved NAHLN laboratories-ELISA) |
|
Swine |
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Poultry, Wild birds |
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Cattle, Swine |
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Fish |
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Poultry, Wild birds |
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Swine |
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Swine |
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Sheep, goats |
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Fish |
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Horses |
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Fish |
Proficiency Testing: The NAHLN Program Office coordinates with the NVSL reference laboratories to ensure NAHLN laboratory personnel are annually trained and proficiency tested. For more information on NVSL’s proficiency testing for these or other diseases, click here, or contact NVSL.
Training: For more information on training activities conducted by the NAHLN Program office, including our Quality Management System training, click this link.
NAHLN laboratories play a critical role in APHIS-VS’ outbreak and surveillance testing programs. As such, the ability to securely share information, data and test results between Federal and non-Federal entities is a high priority for the NAHLN.
NAHLN Electronic Messaging of Test Results: For additional background on NAHLN messaging, follow this link. The NAHLN electronic messaging system was established using international data and messaging standards so that accurate and consistent diagnostic information could be quickly and securely transmitted to APHIS-VS during animal disease outbreaks, or as part of APHIS surveillance programs or during emerging disease situations.
Exercises and Drills: Another of the NAHLN founding principles is ensuring continuous laboratory preparedness for animal disease outbreaks and other emergency situations. This is accomplished by conducting planned and unplanned exercises or other scenario-based drills. To learn more about recent NAHLN exercises and drills, click here.