New Lab Becomes Part of Animal Health and Diagnostic Commission System Now in 20th Year

HARRISBURG, Pa., Dec. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff today helped break ground for a new laboratory that will help protect Pennsylvanians from potentially dangerous animal health emergencies.

"Addressing animal health issues and preventing potential outbreaks is a top priority in Pennsylvania," said Wolff. "By being proactive, the department will be prepared to protect our human food supply should a dangerous situation occur and mitigate any risk to public health.

"Any outbreak would also be catastrophic for Pennsylvania's economy and to our agricultural producers, as animal agriculture contributes $4 billion annually."

Located near the Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory in Harrisburg, the new lab is part of the Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory system, the frontline of defense in preventing disease outbreaks. The lab is designated a bio-safety Level 3 (BSL-3) facility that will allow animal diseases of heightened concern or potentially enormous safety and economic impacts to be detected and diagnosed early.

This facility will provide a bio-secure and safe working environment for staff conducting diagnostic procedures and laboratory investigations, and for disposing contaminated waste with state-of-art equipment designed to deal with highly contagious bacteria, viruses and agents.

The Animal Health and Diagnostic Commission designed the statewide lab system that includes the Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory in Harrisburg, the Animal Diagnostic Laboratory at Penn State University, and the labs at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center.

Guided by the Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services, the commission is in its 20th year with membership including Secretary Dennis Wolff, acting Health Department Secretary Everette James, legislators, veterinarians and agricultural producers.

The bureau is responsible for the control and eradication of diseases in livestock and poultry, which affect human health or cause significant economic loss to farmers. It also administers regulatory programs for animal health certification, containment of diseased animals and elimination of disease agents. Together with regulatory inspections and testing programs, the bureau uses public outreach and educational programs to ensure that Pennsylvania residents consume foods that meet the highest standards.

To learn more about the bureau, commission or the new BSL-3 laboratory, visit www.agriculture.state.pa.us.

    CONTACT: Chris L. Ryder
    (717) 787-5085

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture