In response to the largest animal disease outbreak in U.S. history, the Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health (DCPAH) has been taking steps to ensure laboratory preparedness. The outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI) began along the Pacific coast in wild and domestic birds in December 2014. It exploded in the Midwest in early 2015 with nearly 50 million birds in 15 states affected. In states hardest hit by the outbreak, veterinary diagnostic laboratories have been inundated with samples and have worked diligently to meet the testing needs required.

As a member of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) and, after participating in national surveillance for HPAI from 2006-2010, DCPAH was one of only five laboratories invited by USDA Wildlife Services to participate in heightened surveillance of wild birds at the outset of the current outbreak. Between early January and mid-March 2015, DCPAH had tested approximately 1,200-1,300 samples from wild birds from as many as 11 states, mostly east of the Mississippi River.

After the outbreak subsided in late June 2015, DCPAH was one of seven NAHLN laboratories invited by NAHLN and Wildlife Services to participate in wild bird surveillance from July 2015–March 2016. This invitation was based on past positive working relationships and the strategic location of DCPAH relative to the wild bird surveillance plan. This will include testing approximately 5,000 samples (out of 40,000 nationwide) over the next several months.

On Thursday, June 4, 2015, DCPAH received samples of Canada Geese from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Tests completed that day indicated that the goslings were infected with AI H5. Following protocol, the samples were sent the next day to the National Veterinary Service Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa for confirmation. DCPAH received positive confirmation of highly pathogenic avian influenza, subtype H5N2 on Saturday, June 6 and notified state agencies (Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development or MDARD, and MDNR) that same day. On Monday, June 8, Michigan announced the state’s first HPAI detection. Michigan became the 21st state to report a case of HPAI since December 2014 and the 6th state to detect it in wild or free-ranging birds only.

Prior to this finding, DCPAH had been working with MDARD, Michigan Allied Poultry Industries, producers, and other stakeholders to prepare for the possibility of HPAI in Michigan. To assist commercial egg producers in testing immediately in the event of an outbreak, DCPAH secured test collection kits from NVSL and distributed a three-day supply to producers.

The secure supply testing and permitting process is critical to ensuring that no infected products reach the marketplace. The need is greatest for egg producers because of the daily movement of eggs. DCPAH also nearly doubled the number of staff qualified to perform the HPAI assay through additional training and qualifying testing required by NAHLN.

DCPAH continues to meet with stakeholders and ensure laboratory preparedness to help protect Michigan poultry producers.

In addition to efforts around HPAI, several DCPAH staff members were presented with the Federal Drug Administration’s Group Recognition Award for the Lascadoil Animal Feed Contamination Response Group. This award (dated June 25, 2015) recognizes DCPAH’s role in assisting MDARD and the FDA in one of the most complex animal feed investigations in recent memory. The investigation findings impacted numerous feed manufacturers and producers in Michigan, and were linked to approximately 55,000 turkey deaths, disposal of 500 tons of feed and limited the movement of over 35,000 swine to market. The case turned into a nationwide investigation and traceback of a feed product involving the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), United States Department of Agriculture and many other state feed and animal health programs.