USDA National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility tasked with monitoring viral swine diseases

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility in Manhattan, Kansas, has been selected as a collaborating center for genomic surveillance of viral swine diseases. Opening in June 2023, the NBAF has been selected for this role by the World Organization for Animal Health.

“This award is a great honor and highlights the extensive and diverse expertise of NBAF’s leading USDA researchers on the world stage,” said Alfonoso Clavijo, NBAF Director.

The federal research facility employs over 400 people and was founded to research zoonotic and foreign animal diseases.

“The collaborating center provides support and training to WOAH member laboratories to understand a virus' genome, or the entire DNA code,” the USDA said in a statement. “By understanding the genome, scientists can better understand and potentially contain how a virus causes disease outbreaks in pigs, particularly African swine fever, classical swine fever, Japanese encephalitis virus and Nipah virus.”

NBAF's initial priority will be on ASF virus, but USDA has identified five additional services the facility will provide. These include: next-generation whole genome sequencing for laboratories with no or limited sequencing capacity; providing protocols and training for sample collection, nucleic acid extraction, next-generation sequencing, and sequence analysis to capable laboratories; identifying regional laboratories that can accept samples from other sites for genome sequencing; building robust bioinformatics pipelines and associated tools to provide standardized genomic data, annotations, and classifications for archived and new virus isolates; and site visits to determine laboratory capacity and needs to process, analyze, and interpret genomic data.

The facility will also develop a biobank for virus strains, help monitor the spread of disease outbreaks and provide support for vaccine allocation in outbreak areas.

“International collaboration and information sharing are critical to making progress in the fight against these transboundary animal diseases,” said Jeff Silverstein, deputy director of USDA's Office of National Programs for Animal Production and Welfare. “The contribution of USDA's Agricultural Research Service through the WOAH Collaborative Center is a great way to increase the impact of our research efforts.”

Lacey Vilhauer can be reached at 620-227-1871 or [email protected].