National Animal Health Laboratory Network 

National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program 

Number of Projects Awarded: 7

Amount of Funds Awarded: $4,335,504

Project Title State Awarded Amount Project Summary

The use of field-deployable diagnostic tests for 

detecting African Swine Fever Virus infections 

in pigs

Connecticut $590,129 Commercially available fluorogenic-probe hydrolysis qPCR assays and an isothermal insulated 

qPCR assay designed to detect the African swine fever virus (ASFV) will be evaluated as pen 

side tests. This project will be conducted using clinical samples from domestic pigs at Mizoram, 

India, where ASF is considered endemic.

Development of a novel multiplex point-ofcare testing for the simultaneous detection of 

avian influenza virus and avian paramyxovirus 

type 1

Georgia $217,972 The overall goal of this proposal is to develop and validate a multiplex reverse-transcription 

loop-mediated amplification (RT-LAMP) for the detection of AIV and APMV-1. The specific 

objectives of the proposal are to: 1. Develop and validate single-plex RT-LAMP assays for the 

detection of AIV and APMV-1, 2. Develop and validate multiplex RT-LAMP assay for AIV and 

APMV-1, and 3. Incorporate lateral flow assays for the simultaneous visualization of AIV and 

APMV-1 amplification products on a lateral flow strip. This proposal will bridge the gap in pointof-care diagnostics with the development of an RT- LAMP for the simultaneous detection, and 

differentiation AIV and APMV-1 in a single reactiontube that can be used in resource-limited 

settings.

Point-of-care detection of African swine fever 

virus: a paper-based device for molecular 

diagnostics

Indiana $1,000,000 In this project, the team will build a paper-based point-of-care diagnostic test that will detect 

ASF within 30 minutes. This paper-based device will detect the DNA of the ASF virus using an 

isothermal molecular amplification method and provide a colorimetric output. In this project, 

the team will characterize this novel point-of-care diagnostic device in the lab and in the field 

and compare it to standard lab-based methods. The paper-based diagnostic will be simple 

enough that producers and veterinarians could use it for surveillance of ASF in the field and 

prevent the spread of the disease through the herd.

Improving national capacity for early detection 

of foreign animal disease incursions: critical 

evaluation of field accuracy, standard of 

procedures, risks, challenges, and 

opportunities for the implementation of point 

of care platforms for NAHLN target diseases.

Minnesota $999,346 We propose to evaluate the implementation of a combined EPS-POC system in an ASF endemic 

setting and in the US, giving special consideration to the implementation of processes in 

NAHLN laboratories and in coordination with APHIS and private partners. Three POC systems 

will be evaluated in the US and in an ASF- endemic setting, including a low-cost, high 

throughput pen drive test, a confirmatory test, and a sequencing device. Results here, involving 

two NAHLN laboratories, will help evaluate the accuracy, and set up standards of procedures 

(SOPs) and understand potentials and limitations for the implementation of an EPS-POC system 

in the US. The evaluation will consider the performance of the tests, and will emphasize 

aspects related with the collection and flow of data and between the private and public sector 

to develop SOPs that ensure a safe and secure management and use of information.

Funding Priorities: The 2021 Joint NAHLN/NADPRP funding priority targeted projects supporting the development and/or evaluation of point-of-care 

diagnostic tests to enhance the nation’s ability to quickly detect high-consequence FADs and accelerate response and containment efforts.

2021 Joint NAHLN/NADPRP Projects

2021 NAHLN-NADPRP Joint Spending Plan | 1
Project Title State Awarded Amount Project Summary

FMDsure: A simple and easy to use molecular 

diagnostic assay for rapid detection of Foot 

and-Mouth disease virus in ruminants

Minnesota $554,768 The goal of this project is to develop a field appropriate molecular diagnostic kit (FMDsure) for 

the detection of all seven serotypes of FMDV at point-of-care (POC). The proposed assay will be 

based on reverse transcription loop mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) technology 

and reactions will be carried out on a small, benchtop instrument, AmpliFire (Agdia, IN). In 

addition, a rapid sample preparation method, appropriate for use at POC will also be 

developed. Total assay time will be 30 minutes (including sample prep) with minimal hands-on 

time and without need of any additional equipment. Results will be displayed on-screen as 

positive or negative for FMDV, minimizing user interpretation. Performance of FMDsure assay 

will be evaluated by testing field samples and results will be compared with that of reference 

method (real time RT- PCR). Successful completion of this project will lead to development of a 

diagnostic kit which will allow producers and field veterinarians to monitor heal and easily, 

resulting in significant savings and greatly increase food safety.

Development of a molecular point-of-care 

diagnostic test and a mapping platform for 

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) detection and 

tracking

Oklahoma $473,289 Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic laboratory is requesting funding for the development of a 

point of care (POC) FMD diagnostic assay that is integrated with a geolocation and interactive 

mapping platform. Development of a POC diagnostic assay will enhance disease testing locally 

and will aid in making quick decisions regarding animal movements. The interactive mapping 

platform will provide county-wise data on animal populations and will suggest safe land 

transport routes considering the different animal species affected, their local population 

density, and road conditions. Development work on the POC assay will use synthetic RNA 

segments from FMD virus and also actual clinical samples tested on-site with the help of our 

collaborators in Cameroon. The proposed project will involve a multidisciplinary team of 

researchers and will build upon ongoing research activities including a project previously 

funded through the 2019 farm bill. The team will include researchers from OADDL, Dept. for 

Geography and Dept. of Agricultural Economics at Oklahoma State University as well as an 

industry collaborator (MobileDetect Bio Inc.) and international partner (Cameroon Academy of 

Sciences). Successful completion of this project will provide the capacity to rapidly detect FMD 

locally. Once a disease outbreak has been declared, the mapping platform will provide animal 

health authorities with real-time information for rapidly making animal movement decisions.

Development of a National of Point-of-Care 

(POC) Diagnostic Testing Framework and 

Assessment of Economic Impacts for 

Importation of Current Foreign POC Testing 

Methodologies for Foreign Animal Disease 

Outbreaks

Texas $500,000 This project will solicit national and international experts to develop such a process, refine it via 

expert elicitation, and then validate it via a tabletop exercise. The result will be the 

establishment of a national POC testing framework for FADs which can be utilized to evaluate 

and/or modify point-of-care FAD diagnostic tests that may be used to respond to a future 

disease outbreak.

2021 NAHLN-NADPRP Joint Spending Plan | 2