Protecting the health, quality, and marketability of the nation's animals and animal products requires strong state animal health and disease surveillance programs, well-developed response systems,…

The Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service awarded a Cooperative Agreement to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, Office of the State Veterinarian, totaling $113,783 on April 1, 2026, under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025).

The Office of the State Veterinarian will conduct animal disease surveillance testing, investigate suspect cases of reportable animal diseases, and respond to animal health incidents in partnership with USDA and other animal health partners. The work addresses Alaska's distinctive animal health challenges, including its vast geography, expansive interface between domestic and wild animals, sparse veterinary infrastructure, and position at the intersection of multiple migratory bird flyways critical for monitoring highly pathogenic avian influenza in both wild and domestic birds. The OSV will maintain emergency preparedness systems and support federal animal health objectives to prevent the introduction and spread of high-consequence livestock and poultry diseases.

Performance of work runs from April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027 in Alaska. The Cooperative Agreement supports the federal animal health system through state-level disease surveillance, traceability compliance with USDA standards, and coordinated response with industry, federal, state, and tribal partners operating within a One Health framework.

Protecting the health, quality, and marketability of the nation's animals and animal products requires strong state animal health and disease surveillance programs, well-developed response systems, and adequate regulatory and private veterinary infrastructure. Alaska's vast geography, expansive interface between domestic and wild animals, sparse veterinary infrastructure, and reliance on smaller scale poultry and livestock production create animal health challenges with impacts for both community food security and the broader national animal health system. Alaska's position at the intersection of multiple migratory bird flyways also makes IT a critical location for monitoring global changes in highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses in both wild and domestic birds. The alaska department of environmental conservation's office of the state veterinarian (OSV) ensures programs that protect animal health, support USDA standards for traceability and disease management, and prevent interstate and international trade restrictions. The OSV collaborates with industry, federal, state, and tribal partners in a one health framework to prevent, detect, and respond to animal disease events. The purpose of the 2026 umbrella cooperative agreement between the alaska department of environmental conservation, office of the state veterinarian, and USDA is to ensure that federal animal health programs function effectively to prevent the introduction and spread of high-consequence livestock and poultry diseases, safeguarding the nation's food and fiber supply, public health, and economy. During the 2026 cooperative agreement cycle, the OSV will conduct a broad range of activities that support federal animal health objectives. These activities include performing animal disease surveillance testing, investigating suspect cases of reportable animal diseases, and responding to animal health incidents in partnership with USDA and other animal health partners. OSV will also maintain emergency response capability and provide outreach, education, and support related to biosecurity, disease control, and continuity of business during animal disease events to stakeholders. The activities that will be carried out for each commodity/program (avian, cattle, sheep/goat/cervid, swine, emergency response and one health) include: activities for all commodities: respond to approximately 5-15 suspect cases of foreign animal disease (FAD) or other reportable diseases in poultry, livestock, and other covered species. Work with local veterinarians to investigate morbidity/mortality events; coordinate animal disease investigations and response efforts with USDA and other relevant partners including alaska departments of fish and game and health, noah, USFWS, and USGS; maintain essential equipment and supplies for animal disease response; conduct training for approximately 36 alaska veterinarians seeking USDA accreditation, focusing on USDA animal disease control programs as well as foreign and reportable animal disease recognition, reporting, and prevention; provide outreach and education to stakeholders regarding reportable and foreign animal diseases, biosecurity, disease control methods, carcass disposal, emergency preparedness, and similar topics at 6 fairs and poultry shows and 5 to 10 stakeholder meetings. Expected participation or points of contact with the public approximately 500; deliver timely public notifications, situation updates, and incident-specific support to stakeholders during animal disease outbreaks; engage with animal health and emergency response partners to address animal health needs and achieve program objectives, including USDA-VS, USDA-WS, USFWS, USGS, UAF VET school, cooperative extension, and alaska department of fish and game, as well as accredited veterinarians; perform data management, exchange, and reporting into state and national databases as required to support state and national animal health and emergency response program implementation and evaluation. Estimate 20-30 reports annually. Avian activities: conduct avian influenza testing on approximately 600 birds to support national trade programs; respond to approximately 50-60 sick bird calls and conduct estimated 40-60 necropsies; maintain equipment and supplies essential for avian disease response; provide avian specific biosecurity and disease control and prevention training to stakeholders both in person and through digital and printed materials. Ruminant activities: ensure the national bovine tuberculosis (TB) and brucellosis program standards are met to maintain current state status by: providing oversight for accredited veterinarians conducting TB and brucellosis testing in domestic ruminant species. Conducting secondary tests and/or conducting necropsies TB test suspects. Testing approximately 50 animals for TB and 550 animals for brucellosis through certified herd testing and/or slaughter surveillance. Performing epidemiological investigations for any