The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) marked a major milestone last week in the continuous improvement of its diagnostic services by breaking ground on expansion projects at three of its regional animal health laboratories. Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Katie Frazier, joined by state and local officials, industry leaders and guests, gathered at the Harrisonburg Regional Animal Health Laboratory (RAHL) to launch the multi-site initiative, which includes expansion projects at the Harrisonburg, Warrenton, and Lynchburg locations. General fund support for the capital project was appropriated by the General Assembly in Chapter 2, 2022, Special Session I.
“VDACS Regional Animal Health Laboratories perform a vital role in providing regulatory and diagnostic testing services for veterinary practitioners, food manufacturers, agricultural animal producers, pet owners, and other state government programs,” said Secretary Frazier. “Expanding the capabilities and capacity of the animal health laboratory system is an important safeguard to protecting public health and Virginia’s multi-billion-dollar agricultural industry.”
Operating facilities in Harrisonburg, Lynchburg, Warrenton, and Wytheville, the VDACS Regional Animal Health Laboratory System delivers comprehensive diagnostic and regulatory services across Virginia. The four laboratories offer a wide range of services in bacteriology, serology, virology, parasitology, pathology, and molecular testing. The labs also perform necropsies, bacteriological cultures, hematology, parasitology, and histopathological examination of tissues.
Consumers are also protected by the testing of raw milk products, meat and cheese, ice cream and water. Maintaining close communication with farmers, local veterinarians, and state and federal agencies is vital to enabling effective surveillance and swift control of infectious and contagious animal diseases across the Commonwealth.
“As the animal health landscape continues to evolve, it is imperative that we keep pace with technology and testing improvements,” said Charles Green, Commissioner of VDACS. “The project adds roughly 8,800 square feet of combined laboratory space across facilities to support modern diagnostic services and disease monitoring. This $13.1 million capital outlay project will strengthen critical laboratory infrastructure and testing capabilities, enhance preparedness for emerging animal diseases, and support the health and well-being of the public, animals, and the state’s rural communities.”
“In 2023, the VDACS Regional Animal Health Laboratory System achieved the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Animal Health Laboratory Network’s (NAHLN) highest designation for veterinary diagnostic labs. The Harrisonburg RAHL obtained level one laboratory designation, and the labs in Lynchburg, Warrenton and Wytheville are designated as level one branch laboratories,” said Dr. Charlie Broaddus, Virginia State Veterinarian. “Achieving NAHLN level one status is a significant achievement and this expansion project will further strengthen Virginia’s position in the national network, enhancing each facility’s testing capabilities to better serve the public and industry.”
The laboratory expansions include adding dedicated space for molecular Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing and creating flexible testing space to future-proof the laboratories for ever-changing technology. All VDACS laboratories will continue operations during the expansion project.
