Which laboratory is eligible to run the specific test needed for USDA program disease testing?

Which laboratory is eligible to run the specific test needed for USDA program disease testing?

• A. NAHLN labs near location
• B. NVSL in Ames, IA
• C. Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory
• D. A laboratory approved by APHIS to run the specific test needed

Answer: (D)

USDA program disease testing must be performed in laboratories that APHIS has officially approved to run the exact test in question. This approval ensures standardized methods, validated performance, quality control, proficiency testing, proper chain of custody, and that the results carry official program status. Labs outside this approved list may run many assays for other purposes, but only APHIS-approved labs can report official USDA program results for that test. While reference and surveillance networks are part of the system, the key requirement is APHIS approval for the specific test. So, the eligible lab is one that APHIS has approved to run that test.

USDA program disease testing must be performed in laboratories that APHIS has officially approved to run the exact test in question. This approval ensures standardized methods, validated performance, quality control, proficiency testing, proper chain of custody, and that the results carry official program status. Labs outside this approved list may run many assays for other purposes, but only APHIS-approved labs can report official USDA program results for that test. While reference and surveillance networks are part of the system, the key requirement is APHIS approval for the specific test. So, the eligible lab is one that APHIS has approved to run that test.