Project Number: 5410-32000-014-06
Project Type: Nonfunded Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Mar 10, 2004
End Date: Mar 09, 2009

Objective:
To provide a framework for cooperation to promote the efficient and safe diagnosis of emerging diseases and/or contaminants that could affect animal and human health. The ARS, Arthropod-Borne Animal Diseases Research Lab (ABADRL) collaborates with several entities on research projects aiming to improve the diagnosis of, and protections against, infectious agents carried by insects. The Wyoming Dept. of Agriculture (WDA) is the state agency responsible for microbiological and chemical qualitative and quantitative analysis to protect health and the quality-of-life of agricultural and urban communities. The WDA Analytical Service Lab (ASL) is charged to conduct thorough study and analysis to ensure clean water, a safe food supply and proper pesticide and fertilizer use.

Approach:
(1) Detect and positively identify contaminants and microbiological agents in feed, fertilizer, forage, soils, livestock, pesticides and surface and waste water sources that could affect arthropod viability or have an effect on livestock health in regard to arthropod/insect vectored diseases; (2) Develop and implement testing and diagnostic procedures for current and emerging contaminant and microbiological threats; (3) Create a secure bank of contaminant and microbiological samples from Wyoming; and (4) Investigate the link of arthropod and livestock interactions in areas where microbiological and chemical processes are at work that promote or inhibit the spread of disease.