When a large-scale animal-disease outbreak occurs, tracking its progress and performing diagnostic tests on thousands of diagnostic samples is a big challenge. To get the job done, it is very important that all the parties involved-Federal agencies and laboratories managed by State governments and universities-communicate and collaborate effectively. The National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) now forms part of a nationwide strategy to coordinate the work of all organizations providing animal disease surveillance and testing services.

NAHLN has elected to continue growing its network on the CoreSHIELD and LabDIR technology platform developed by Datastream Connexion and the National Center for Food Protection and Defense.  The Network has been a terrific partner expanding capabilities within the system by providing the technical leadership team at DSCXN critical insight and direction.  Over the next year we will be implementing innovative features to expand NAHLN's monitoring and response capabilities.

Datastream Connexion has been an integral development partner with FERN since 2006.   FERN has renewed efforts for the upcoming year to expand its information technology infrastructure.

The Food Emergency Response Network (FERN) integrates the nation's food-testing laboratories at the local, state, and federal levels into a network that is able to respond to emergencies involving biological, chemical, or radiological contamination of food. The FERN structure is organized to ensure federal and state inter-agency participation and cooperation in the formation, development, and operation of the network. 

We are proud to have pioneered this effort with the FERN leadership and look forward to a successful year.

The National Animal Health Laboratory Network's new portal, based on CoreSHIELD technology, has been deployed and put into use by network labs and administrators.

Immediately delivering secure collaboration to the network, the portal is the first marker on a path to transform how NAHLN leverages web technologies to service their network.  Building on this portal will include centralized LabDIR, interactive SOP Guides, Proficiency Test Management, e-Learning, and other tools to  bring visibility to their network lab's capabilities and capacities which is critical for planning and in time of emergency response.