An NWRC technician performs virus isolation in chicken 

 embryos in the BSL-3 suite. 



well as air locks and separate HEPA (high-efficiency 

 particulate air)-filtered air ventilation systems. 



NWRC's Master Plan includes the development of a 

 larger Wildlife Disease Research Building (WDRB). 

 Until the completion of that building in 2010, 

 the smaller BSL-3 suite in the ARB provides an 

 intermediate solution to WS BSL-3 research needs. 

 Wildlife disease biologists are able to (1) study the 

 ecology and epidemiology of endemic and emerging 

 animal diseases in wildlife; (2) carry out research 

 concerning management of wildlife diseases 

 impacting U.S. agriculture and human health and 

 safety; (3) determine species susceptibility to 

 pathogens; and (4) carry out vaccine efficacy and 

 challenge studies. Anticipated future animal and 

 laboratory studies will be conducted using BSL-3 

 agents such as histoplasma; the viruses that cause 

 Saint Louis encephalitis, highly pathogenic avian 

 influenza (HPAI), and Rift Valley fever; and the 

 bacterium that causes bovine tuberculosis (bTB). 



More Details on the Planned Wildlife Disease 

 Research Building— The new 28,500-ft2 facility 

 will greatly expand WS' ability to respond to wildlife 

 disease emergencies and resolve important disease 

 issues that involve livestock-wildlife and human- 

 wildlife interactions. 



To support both experimental and field 

 investigations, a complete laboratory infrastructure 

 and animal testing capability will be included in the 

 new BSL-3 Ag research facility to provide support 

 for diagnostics methods development, vaccine 

 development, risk assessments, and wildlife-disease 

 surveillance and monitoring activities. (The "Ag" 

 designation in the BSL-3 description of the WDRB 

 indicates that each animal room is being designed 

 as primary containment for diseased animals, 

 meaning the animals can roam freely in the rooms.) 

 Diagnostic methods development will include rapid 

 diagnostics for wildlife diseases, such as avian 

 influenza (Al), rabies, bTB, and West Nile virus. 



In addition, activities will focus on development 

 of diagnostic and screening assays for multiple 

 diseases from single samples. The ability to 

 process large numbers of samples for multiple 

 diseases in any surveillance effort requires 

 expanded capabilities for high-throughput testing 

 (robotic processing) of samples. It also requires 

 controlled biosafety environments for development 

 and validation of multiplex diagnostic methods 

 for zoonotic and animal pathogens. ("Zoonotic" 

 refers to pathogens or diseases that are naturally 

 transmitted between wildlife species and humans.) 

 The infrastructure of the new WDRB will include 

 diagnostic capabilities in the areas of mycology, 

 virology, and bacteriology. 



The new BSL-3 Ag WDRB will expand NWRC's 

 existing BSL-3 wildlife disease research capabilities 

 and increase opportunities for collaborative research 

 with CSU. The WDRB will include offices, a BSL-3 

 laboratory, BSL-3 Ag animal holding and testing 

 quarters, and other support spaces for wildlife 

 disease-research purposes. Final design and 

 construction will take place in 2008 with a planned 

 completion date of 2010. 



Introduction 3 



