Hello All,
Please feel free to forward this email to any U.S. laboratory conducting testing for VHS.

As APHIS moves forward with the development of the VHS interim rule, as well as other APHIS program diseases, and recognizing the need to confirm the information APHIS uses to take regulatory actions, APHIS will be using the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa for the following functions.  

The primary role for NVSL in support of APHIS regulations regarding VHS is, but not limited, to confirm:
        isolates from species newly identified as susceptible to VHS; and
        isolates from areas, states or geographic regions not previously known to be positive for VHS; and
        isolates of VHS that are genetically distinct from other known isolates; and
        any isolate from an aquaculture facility that might result in Federal regulatory actions; and
        any other activities APHIS NVSL, in conjunction with Veterinary Services, find appropriate.

The contact to send such isolates is:
       
Janet Warg
Diagnostic Virology Laboratory
National Veterinary Services Laboratory
515-663-7551
Janet.V.Warg@aphis.usda.gov

Thank you in advance for your concurrence and APHIS appreciates all of your efforts in protecting the health of the aquatic animal resources of the U.S.

Gary

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
P. Gary Egrie, VMD
Veterinary Medical Officer, Aquaculture Specialist
United States Department of Agriculture
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
4700 River Road, Unit 46
Riverdale, MD 20737
(301) 734-0695 (Office)
(301) 734-4982 (Fax)