Project Number: 3625-32000-072-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Mar 03, 2004
End Date: May 31, 2006

Objective:
Many diseases exist that can infect man and animals (zoonotic diseases). Many of these are foreign to the United States but can be easily introduced through movement of man and or animals, as occurred in the 2002 outbreak of monkey pox. There are currently no rapid or easily applied tests to detect this disease at borders nor is it known what the ability of virus is to infect animals. As a whole, the nation is poorly prepared to detect and respond to incursions of new or existing zoonotic diseases.

Approach:
This project is conducted with input from other agencies involved in the detection and control of zoonotic diseases (USDA-APHIS, CDC, NIH). 1) Establish research on emerging zoonotic diseases. 2) Develop a rapid diagnostic test and determine the host range of monkey pox in domestic animals (those which man comes in contact with most frequently). 3) Develop a tactical plan to detect and control other incursions of emerging zoonotic diseases into the United States. BSL-3: Biosafety information to be established when certified Project Plan is reviewed by Biosafety Committee. Project established 02/20/04 as a result of a FY-04 Program Increase for Emerging Zoonotic Diseases.