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Submission Priority at the NVSL

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Submissions arriving at the NVSL are categorized for priority of processing. Mark the

priority of a submission on a special label affixed to the outside of the shipping

container and on the submittal form. A special label for this purpose is provided in all

NVSL-supplied shipping containers. 

For assistance in determining the most appropriate priority, contact the

Assistant District Director for your State.

Any specimens received without a priority rating will be handled as Priority

3.

The NVSL Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (FADDL) must be contacted

by phone prior to shipment or transport of all diagnostic samples regardless of

Priority 1, 2, 3, or A diagnostic sample designation. Arrangements must always be

made to pick up the diagnostic samples from the Federal Express office, or meet a

courier, or meet counter-to-counter service at an airport or other location. Unless

FADDL is notified by phone prior to the shipment or transport, the diagnostic

samples will be delayed in delivery to FADDL.
Priority 1

This priority is used when prompt laboratory diagnostic information is required

because known investigation information makes it highly likely that the observed

condition is a foreign animal disease/emerging disease incident (FAD/EDI).

Specimens will be unpacked and examined, and diagnostic assays will begin

immediately upon arrival at the NVSL. Overtime will be used if necessary. Results

will be reported by telephone, fax, and/or computer, according to program

procedures, immediately as results are obtained (including progress reports) and

upon completion of laboratory examination (final report).

Contact the NVSL (regardless of destination laboratory) prior to shipping a Priority 1

submission.

NVSL-Ames phone contact information during business hours (8:00 a.m. –

4:30 p.m. Central Time, Monday–Friday):

Laboratory Phone Number

NVSL Main Line 515-337-7266

Diagnostic Bacteriology 515-337-7568

Diagnostic Virology 515-337-7551

Diagnostic Pathobiology 515-337-7521

NVSL-Ames phone contact information after hours and weekends (24/7):

Contact Phone Number

National Centers for Animal Health Dispatch 515-337-7266

NVSL-Plum Island (FADDL) phone contact information during business

hours (8:00 a.m.–4:15 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday–Friday):

Contact Phone Number

Main Office 631-323-3256 or 631-323-3206
NVSL-Plum Island (FADDL) phone contact information after hours and

weekends (24/7):

Contact

Phone

Number

FADDL Director 631-375-5314

Diagnostic Services Section Head 631-323-6814

Courier 631-377-9877

If unable to reach any of the above, contact National Centers for

Animal Health Dispatch. 515-337-7266

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Priority 2

This priority is used when known investigation information indicates it is possible

that the observed condition is an FAD/EDI, but it cannot be distinguished from an

endemic disease/condition. Therefore, rapid laboratory diagnostic information is

necessary. Specimens will be processed the day they are received if the samples

reach the laboratory before the close of the workday. Overtime will be used to finish

the examination of specimens received before the close of the workday on

weekdays and for those received on weekends and holidays. Specimens arriving

after the close of the work day will be examined the following day, including

weekends. Results will be reported by telephone, fax, and/or computer as they are

obtained (progress) and when examination is completed (final).

Contact FADDL, using the phone numbers shown above, prior to shipping a Priority 2

submission to Plum Island.

Priority 3

This priority is used when known investigation information indicates it is unlikely that

the observed condition is an FAD/EDI and cannot be distinguished from an enzootic

disease or condition. No overtime will be used for these non-emergency cases.

Specimens will be processed according to accession number order, unless otherwise

directed by the NVSL Case Coordinator or Laboratory Director. A specimen arriving

after 4:00 p.m. on Friday will not be processed until Monday or later, depending on
the current backlog of cases.

Contact FADDL, using the phone numbers shown above, prior to shipping a Priority 3

submission to Plum Island.

Priority A

This priority is used for those situations where any animals in commerce are held

pending the results of testing for an FAD/EDI. It can also be used when other known

or potential circumstances surrounding the investigation indicate that it would be

prudent to obtain laboratory test results as rapidly as possible, regardless of the

likelihood of the presence of an FAD/EDI. Priority A samples are processed in the

same manner as Priority 1 samples.

Contact the NVSL (regardless of destination) prior to shipping a Priority A

submission. Use the phone numbers shown above.