The University of Illinois Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (UI VDL) is a full-service AAVLD accredited state laboratory and is also one member of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) and FDA Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet- LIRN). The UI-VDL is capable to work with Vet-LIRN Cooperative Agreement Program to increase national laboratory capacity to detect, respond to and recover from animal food or drug- related illnesses and enhance the national food safety system. The well-equipped and staffed UI VDL will actively participate the case investigation, data analysis and method development assigned by Vet-LIRN.
Through this cooperative agreement, this project will enhance the capability and capacity to diagnose the causes for animal food and drugs related illness events. UI VDL will perform testing, data analysis, and method development and validation. These efforts can minimize the disease outcomes related with animal food/drug adulteration or contamination and then protect animal and human health.