# Presentation: 042702

## The National Animal Health Reporting System (NAHRS)

## VS Centers for Epidemiology & Animal Health (CEAH) –Fort Collins, CO

- National Center for Animal Health Surveillance (CNAHS)
-     ►*National Surveillance Unit (NSU)—established in 2003, is the first unit within VS to have personnel devoted solely to animal disease surveillance and surveillance enhancement*
*      **►**National Animal Health Monitoring System Unit (NAHMS)*
* *Center for Emerging Issues (CEI)
*    **►**Identifies & analyzes emerging issues and emerging market conditions*
*      ►**Geographic Information Systems (GIS)*
- Center for Animal Disease Information and Analysis (CADIA)
-      ►*Risk Analysis; Technology Development; Application Information Management (AIM)– NAIS; GDB; EMRS*

**Notes:**
130-140 people including liaisons with other VS staff/programs

## NAHRS 

- Reporting system designed to collect data on the occurrence of _**confirmed**_ World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) reportable diseases in commercial livestock, poultry, and aquaculture species** **in U.S.

## NAHRS 

- The National Animal Health Reporting System (NAHRS) is a joint effort of the US Animal Health Association (USAHA), the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD), and the USDA:Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA:APHIS).

**Notes:**
History – Late 80’s early 90’s trading partners found our surveillance lacking; (perceived) that it was lacking;  Several countries ahead of us in reporting systems– in response developed VDRLS and DxMonitor – good systems but lacked focus on what diseases to monitor etc..   USAHA/AAVLD committee decided to utilize OIE reportable list – NAHRS developed – piloted in 1998/ 1999 opened up for participation.  Decided to begin with a qualitative (summary level) collection of data – if more information to be collected this would be correlated by Commodity Working Groups and States; make it a voluntary program– as better commitment achieved if voluntary.  Last 5-6 years have been extremely busy in the animal health arena/ homeland security – this has not diminished the need for a NAHRS system 

## NAHRS Organizational Structure

## NAHRS Purpose

- To demonstrate the integrated and transparent nature of disease surveillance and reporting in the U.S. and to ultimately help protect the global market share of American’s animals and animal products
- Identify emerging diseases and disease trends.

## NAHRS: Data Use

- USDA APHIS uses NAHRS data as one of several sources to complete U.S. OIE animal disease status reports and to support trade negotiations.
*U.S. has been reporting to OIE for over 25 yrs*
*NAHRS adds credibility & validity to reporting*
*Demonstration of credible surveillance and reporting provide a solid base for negotiating trade & trade disputes*
*NAHRS qualitative data provides the minimum information requested by the OIE and trading partners*

**Notes:**
Past USDA/APHIS/VS report used data from multiple sources (still does); but did not have a well defined, systematic system to show U.S. tracking animal diseases  Michael David, Center for export/import on behalf of Dr Peter Fernandez, official delegate to OIE—reports.  In past, the information needed to complete the  OIE reports ahd for use in trade negotiations was not always available or reliable.  NAHRS data are qualitative and provide the minimum information requested by the OIE and our trading partners

## NAHRS:  Where Does it Fit on Reporting

- Routine Testing-- Slaughter data, markets, regulatory & movement; Veterinarians/Producers/Industry; FAD Investigations; NAHMS; ARS; Academia, Public Health, etc

- Surveillance
- Sources

- Disease
- data

- Program Disease Reports
- State Reportable Reports

- Summary level
- information

**NAHRS**

- Disease reports

- International
- information

- OIE

- GDB

- EMRS

- NAHLN

- Lab data- LIMS
- VADDS

- US Animal Health Report

- US OIE Report

- NAIS

- Local systems

**Notes:**
Utilization of lab data – Lab data will always require a level of interpretation – there will always be some type of NAHRS report.
Surveillance Sources are where the rubber hits the road.  There is no other cumulative summary level report of OIE reportable diseases in the US 

## NAHRS:  Provides a summary level overview of the US OIE Reportable animal disease status 

- Through animal disease surveillance activities, States report qualitative information (yes/no) monthly to NAHRS on the confirmed occurrence of each OIE listed reportable disease

**Notes:**
We have in the US a great animal health infrastructure – NAHRS is one way to demonstrate it to others.  There is no other summary level reporting system in the US that encompasses all > 100 OIE reportable diseases.

## NAHRS Operation

- State personnel utilize multiple data sources  (i.e. program disease information, FAD investigations, veterinarians, veterinary labs, public health labs, other agencies) in completion of monthly NAHRS reports

## NAHRS Operation

- Using well-defined reporting criteria (NAHRS UM&R), the Chief Animal Health Official of the State reports OIE Reportable List _**confirmed disease**_ for that State.
*Confirmed disease= disease confirmed by Chief, State Animal Health Official utilizing NAHRS reporting criteria for the disease, which may include references to compatible clinical signs, the specified standard of laboratory testing, and any additional  epidemiological information** *

## NAHRS Data Flow

**NAHRS Online Reporting Tool**

## NAHRS State Reporting 

- Monthly reporting to VS CEAH via mail, fax, e-mail, or completed on-line
- NAHRS On-line Reporting Tool implemented in 2005
*Designed to allow completion of NAHRS reporting on-line and provide more timely and expanded information to participant States*

## Available to Participant States: NAHRS On-line Reporting Tool

- NAHRS reporting via the internet with assurance of secure date transfer and information confidentiality
- Access to all monthly reports
-    ► Status of report indicated (draft, submitted, final)
- State cumulative report – States own summary level report of OIE reportable diseases
- National cumulative report
- Link to information on OIE Reportable Disease Events

## NAHRS Online Reporting Tool

- Roles designed with flow of data:
-    ► *State Designate* (Lab, information source, Assistant State Veterinarian, administrative assistant, etc)
-          ● Collects data, data source; collates data creates a new monthly report, or adds information submits report to Chief role ‘Ready for State Approval’
-       ► *Chief (*State Veterinarian, Assistant State Veterinarian, administrative assistant)
-            ● Approves and electronically submit monthly report to CEAH (has all privileges)
-       ► *State Reader (*AVIC, Ag Commissioner, Area-Epi, etc)
-            ● View only
- Auto-emails sent notifying actions taken (i.e. Report ready for State Approval; Report submitted to CEAH)

## Login screen for the National Animal Health Reporting SystemOnline Reporting Tool

**Login screen for the National Animal Health Reporting System****Online Reporting Tool**

## Creating a NAHRS Report

- xx

- x

## Creating a NAHRS Report

## NAHRS Implementation

- Buy off by State animal health officials
- Identify disease information sources (veterinary labs, PH Labs,etc)
- Educate the stakeholders
- Update reportable disease list if required
- Designate OPR
- Establish  criteria and coordinate collection of data – NAHRS Online reporting tool
- Collate data
- Submit data – NAHRS Online reporting tool
- Validate data—NAHRS Online reporting tool; NAHRS coordinator works with VS Disease Program liaison on program diseases

## NAHRS Overview

*The State Veterinarian has the final say on what is reported for their State—utilizing well defined reporting criteria *
-    ● NAHRS is not an emergency disease reporting system; issues that may immediately impact trade will not be reported first through NAHRS
*Neither individual producers or individual States are identified in any NAHRS reports.*
*    *● NAHRS only releases cumulative US information
*NAHRS information is considered confidential and only summary information released*

## NAHRS Overview

*Well-defined reporting criteria; reviewed by established commodity working groups*
*Helps enhance State animal health surveillance and reporting infrastructure*
-     ● Most State infrastructures and relationships already in place
-     ● Time requirements minimal once set up
-     ● Cumulative State Report available to participating State – summary level overview
*Confidentiality maintained, no negative impact  experienced by States or industries from participating in NAHRS*

## Resolutions & Recommendations Supporting Participation in NAHRS

## NAHRS demonstrates a systematic, integrated and comprehensive Federal-State relationship of disease surveillance and reporting in the U.S.US has one of best animal health infrastructures in the world –NAHRS is one way to demonstrate it

**Notes:**
Can’t demand complete and accurate reporting of other countries if we don’t adhere to the same principle!  Improvements and refinements to NAHRS will continue.  NAHRS reporting is designed as passive, but hopefully helps to improve active disease surveillance & monitoring within the states (emerging management).  NAHRS may also be used in future to collect data on important endemic diseases, and possible regionalization information.  Changes to NAHRS reporting/ data usage though must be accepted by all participants. 

## Conclusion

-    ***The NAHRS is intended to be one part of a comprehensive and integrated animal health information system in the U.S.***

## NAHRS Information

- E-mail: nahrs@aphis.usda.gov
- Phone:  (970) 494-7200
- NAHRS Web Site:
- http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ceah/ncahs/nahrs
-      - NAHRS Operational Manual
-      - Link to NAHRS Online Reporting System