Survey work conducted thus far indicates 

 that EAE has been in this country for some 

 time. This work has been biased to some ex- 

 tent by the sampling of suspected flocks. A 

 more accurate indication of the prevalence of 

 this disease could be had by testing random 

 samples collected from ewes at time of slaugh- 

 ter. 



Vaccination .studies have not yet been com- 

 pleted. 



Future Aims. — A psittacosis-lymphogranu- 

 loma group antigen is produced from enzootic 

 abortion virus. The current complement-fixa- 

 tion test is not specific and not too effective in 

 individual animals. It is fairly accurate when 

 used to diagnose the condition in flocks pro- 

 vided 30 percent of the flock is tested. 



Additional survey work is needed to more 

 accurately determine the prevalence of enzootic 

 abortion in ewes. Further studies also are 

 necessary to refine the antigen and increase its 

 specificity. 



The disease is not the type, such as foot-and- 

 mouth disease, rinderpest, or African Swine 

 Fever, that compels drastic action. 



Considei'ing the economic eifect of the dis- 

 ease in other countries, and the additional 

 studies that are necessary, present circum- 

 stances do not warrant Division participation 

 in a control program. 



The World Picture. — This is not a report- 

 able disease in countries such as England, Scot- 

 land, and France. Regulatory officials do not 

 believe that its economic effects in sheep in 

 those countries warrant an eradication pro- 

 gram. 



A voluntary vaccination program is followed. 

 The vaccine is reported to be effective. Even 

 in infected flocks, the rate of abortion appears 

 to decrea.se rapidly following vaccination of 

 all ewes. 



LOOKING AHEAD IN LABORATORY 

 SERVICES 



Laboratory Services must look toward pro- 

 viding even broader diagnostic programs to 

 meet the varied and changing needs of the Di- 

 vision. Speciali.sts in the epidemiological study 

 of most major diseases of animals must be 

 available to meet the challenge of this highly 

 technical field. Expanded and modern facili- 

 ties and ecjuipment will soon be available at 

 the National Animal Disease Laboratory. 



Funds totaling $16,250,000 were granted in 

 July 1956 for establishment of the laboratory. 

 Construction began in late summer of 1958 

 on a 318-acre farm tract east of Ames, Iowa. 

 The national laboratory will include an Admin- 

 istration Building, large and small animal labo- 

 ratory buildings, a central heating and emer- 

 gency power plant, sewage decontamination 

 plant, and \arious types of support structures 

 and animal quarantine barns. 



Most of the activities of Laboratory Services 

 will be transferred to the new laboratory in 

 the spring or summer of 1961. Regulatory 

 functions will occupy approximately 20 per- 

 cent of the total space, of which about one- 

 half will be devoted to diagnostic services for 

 Division programs. The remaining space will 

 be used for laboratory functions in support of 

 the biologies control programs of the Animal 

 Inspection and Quarantine Division. 



The diagnostic services programs at the Na- 

 tional Animal Disease Laboratory will require 

 a staff of about 50, of which 18 will be veteri- 

 nary specialists. The remainder will be tech- 

 nical employees, animal caretakers, and others 

 required to service the various programs. Re- 

 cruitment for the laboratory staff at Ames has 

 been limited almost exclusively to present Di- 

 vision personnel having an interest in the labo- 

 ratory service programs of the Division. 



The staff will move into these new facilities 

 with a continuing determination to provide the 

 best possible diagnostic services to meet the 

 program needs of the Division. 



44 



