The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) announced a funding opportunity for cooperative agreements up to $60,000 in costs for one year to improve the center’s ability to evaluate risks of Salmonella-contaminated feeds by testing diagnostic samples from pets. CVM is seeking applications that will provide information on the prevalence of Salmonella in fecal samples from both symptomatic and asymptomatic dogs and cats brought to veterinary clinics to gain insight into the frequency of Salmonella-infected companion animals. Bacteria will be isolated, identified and serotyped by the participating laboratories and the isolates will be submitted to FDA. DNA analysis will help CVM determine if the Salmonella strains isolated from pets are genetically similar to strains previously isolated from humans or animal feeds. The data from this study will help CVM prioritize investigations of foodborne diseases which adversely affect animal and human health. The data will also help the FDA rank future surveillance efforts. The awarded cooperative agreements will be with the Veterinary Laboratory Response Network (Vet-LRN). Vet-LRN is a CVM program that coordinates facilitates expertise of government and veterinary diagnostic laboratories in the U.S. and Canada in response to investigations of animal food or drug related illnesses. Requirements to apply for a Vet-LRN cooperative agreement include demonstrating an adequate veterinary case load, technical expertise and ability to conduct the appropriate volume of cultures. Applicants will also be evaluated as to their accreditation status and geographical location to provide program balance and a diverse patient population. The deadline for submission of applications is Aug. 15. <Home>
