Project Number: 5410-32000-014-04
Project Type: Nonfunded Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: May 07, 2004
End Date: Jan 31, 2009

Objective:
The purpose of this agreement is to provide a framework for cooperation to promote the efficient and safe diagnosis and surveillance of emerging arthropod-borne infectious diseases in Wyoming. USDA-ARS-ABADRL collaborates with public, private, academic and foreign research entities on research projects aiming to improve the diagnosis of and protection against infectious agents carried by insects. The Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) is the state agency responsible for monitoring, investigating and detecting public health disease threats, with the Public Health Laboratory responsible for laboratory testing associated with these activities. This cooperation serves the parties' mutual interest.

Approach:
(1) Detecting and positively identifying infectious disease agents in arthropod-vectors, birds, horses, other animals, and man by developing and implementing diagnostic testing procedures for current and emerging infectious diseases; (2) Creating a secure bank of samples of infectious disease agents from WY; (3) Facilitate the protection of Wyoming's citizens against infectious diseases by creating a cooperative program intended to monitor and detect infectious disease in humans, livestock, and wildlife; and (4) Provide protection for lab workers and the public from infection with disease agents contained in diagnostic samples by using the highest quality testing protocols in the most appropriate biosafety level containment facilities.