Thompson Bishop Sparks State Diagnostic Laboratory now offers antibiotic sensitivity testing for organisms resistant to antibiotics on the routine companion animal and equine panels.
The gram positive panel includes zones of inhibition for Enterococcus spp. against ciprofloxacin, linezolid, and minocycline; zones of inhibition for Staphylococcus spp. against azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, linezolid, and minocycline; and zones of inhibition for Streptococcus spp. against azithromycin, ciprofloxacin (B-hemolytic only), and linezolid (B-hemolytic only.)
The gram negative panel includes zones of inhibition for Acinetobacter spp. against ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin, meropenem, and minocycline; zones of inhibition for Burkholderia cepacia against ceftazidime, meropenem, and minocycline; zones of inhibition for Enterobacterales (formerly Enterobacteriaceae) against azithromycin, ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin, meropenem, and minocycline; zones of inhibition for Pseudomonas aeruginosa against ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin, and meropenem; and zones of inhibition for Stenotrophomonas maltophila against minocycline.
For more information, contact the bacteriology department at 334-844-7211.
Director, J.B. Taylor Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Alabama Veterinary Diagnostic Lab System
Description:
Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries is seeking qualified applicants for Director of J.B. Taylor Diagnostic Laboratory in Elba, Alabama.
J.B. Taylor Diagnostic Lab is a satellite branch laboratory within the Alabama Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (AVDL) system. Elba is located in rural southeastern Alabama (Coffee County), less than two hours from the beaches of the Gulf Coast, and 38 miles from the Florida State Line.
Thompson Bishop Sparks State Diagnostic Lab is the central reference laboratory in a state animal diagnostic laboratory system that includes branch labs in in Boaz, Elba, and Hanceville. Laboratories provide animal disease diagnostic and regulatory testing for the commercial poultry industry, private owners, and submitting veterinarians.
The Laboratory Director reports to the Director of the AVDL system. Responsibilities include performing necropsy examinations, supervising bacteriology and poultry serology testing, client communications, and general administrative duties to ensure laboratory operations follow requirements to maintain certification by the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP). Laboratory caseload submissions are primarily cattle, commercial and backyard poultry, small ruminants, white-tailed deer, horses, and small animals.
Requirements:
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from an AVMA recognized school or college of veterinarymedicine, eligibility for licensure as a registered veterinarian by the Alabama Board of Veterinary
Medical Examiners, and U.S. citizenship status.
Salary:
Starting salary will be commensurate with professional credentials, experience, and an approved level of entry for classification within the State Personnel system. Benefits include low-cost single
coverage for health/vision/dental insurance with optional family health coverage, paid thirteen paid holidays per year, flexible employee benefit plans, and retirement plans to include optional deferred compensation plans.
Inquiries should be addressed to: Dr. Heather Walz, Director, Thompson Bishop Sparks State Diagnostic Lab, Auburn, AL 36832. Phone: 334-844-7262. Email: Heather.Walz@agi.alabama.gov
Dr. Hughes earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Tennessee in 1987 and a Master of Avian Medicine from the University of Georgia, Poultry Diagnostic Research Center in 1990.
Dr. Hughes has extensive clinical experience, both as a small animal practice owner, and as relief veterinarian for multiple small animal practices in Iowa. Her diverse background as a veterinarian also includes working with select exotic species and international volunteer teams to administer rabies vaccines to reduce/eliminate human rabies cases. Dr. Hughes was also Technical Service Poultry Veterinarian and Diagnostic Laboratory Director for a large vertically integrated poultry company for seven years.
Dr. Hughes’ most recent appointment was at Murray State University, Breathitt Veterinary Center, where she served as Poultry Specialist, Veterinary Case Coordinator, and Assistant Professor.
Animal Disease Traceability Update, Dr. Tony Frazier, State Veterinarian:
For quite sometime now we have been working towards advancing official identification of certain cattle so that we could respond quickly to any disease outbreak. And this year we announced a Time Line that had been proposed by USDA/APHIS/VS that provided for the continued transition away from the metal ear tags to electronic tags. After much discussion we agreed with the Time Line and developed a plan for cattle producers in Alabama. In addition, leadership with the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association proposed a cost share program for livestock markets to invest in the purchase of electronic tag readers and computer equipment to use these types of tags. The Alabama Department of Agriculture would, through my office, provide electronic tags to these markets during this transition period.
Within the last couple of weeks, the USDA announced that they would be “Pausing” the Time Line for the transition to the electronic tags and develop a formal comment period. As of this update we have not been informed of details of this process. The current ADT rule that requires all beef cattle that are 18 months of age and older, all dairy cattle and all exhibition and show cattle that cross state lines or enter commerce to be officially identified, has not changed.
Here at the Department of Agriculture we will continue to transition to the use of official electronic tags and support the livestock markets that have taken advantage of the cost share program with ACA with these type tags. We will be working with the Cooperative Extension Veterinarian to develop potential research programs that review different types of electronic tags and the different frequencies such as low-frequency and high-frequency tags. We here in Alabama will continue to move forward and advance electronic traceability.
If you have any questions about this issue please do not hesitate to contact my office at 334-240-7253.
Travel and identification requirements for sheep and goats have changed.
Please review the documents linked below for more information:
No animal deserves inhumane treatment.
Please report any animal abuse and cruelty online using the following link:
Potomac Horse Fever (PHF) was originally identified in the late 1970’s as a disease affecting horses in the eastern United States near the Potomac River. However, since then, the disease has been diagnosed in other locations in the United States and Canada, but never in Alabama until recently.
For the full newsletter, please click here.
Here is the current list of confirmed Low-Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Alabama
| County | Farm Type | Date Confirmed Positive for LPAI |
| Cullman | Commercial | 03/22/2017 |
| Madison * | Backyard | 03/22/2017 |
| Lauderdale * | Commercial | 03/22/2017 |
| Madison | Backyard | 03/21/2017 |
| Pickens | Commercial | 03/21/2017 |
| Jackson | Backyard | 03/16/2017 |
* = These are the sites mentioned in the March 14th press release.
Helpful Links
- Rescind Order 04-14-17
- Avian Influenza Fact Sheet
- Official Order Prohibiting Poultry Exhibitions And The Assembling Of Poultry To Be Sold
- En Espanol
- Click here from information from The Alabama Department of Public Health
Avian Influenza in Alabama – Timeline
Click here for the latest AI Timeline Graphic
April 14, 2017
ADAI Press Release – Order Rescinding the Prohibition of Poultry Exhibitions and the Assembling of Poultry to be Sold Issued
- Avian influenza has not been detected in any of the samples collected from poultry for several weeks within the surveillance zones in Alabama.
- Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries John McMillan in consultation with State Veterinarian Dr. Tony Frazier officially rescinds the Order Prohibiting Poultry Exhibitions and the Assembly of Poultry to be Sold in Alabama.
- Unless there are new developments in Alabama’s avian influenza situation, this will conclude updates to the avian influenza timeline.
April 7, 2017
- Avian influenza has not been detected in any of the samples collected from poultry this week within the surveillance zones in Alabama.
- Unless there are new developments in Alabama’s avian influenza situation, the next update will be Friday, April 14th. The weekly reports will continue until the avian influenza situation has been resolved in Alabama and surrounding states.
March 31, 2017
- Avian influenza has not been detected in any of the samples collected from poultry this week within the surveillance zones in Alabama.
- Unless there are new developments in Alabama’s avian influenza situation, this will conclude the daily timeline posts. A weekly report will be posted to the timeline until the avian influenza situation has been resolved in the affected states.
March 28-30, 2017
- Sample collection from commercial and backyard flocks continues within the surveillance zones in Alabama
- At this time, all samples collected have tested negative for avian influenza.
March 27, 2017
- Sample collection from commercial and backyard flocks continues within the surveillance zone surrounding commercial breeder flock in Cullman County, Ala. confirmed positive for low pathogenic H7N9 avian influenza (LPAI) by NVSL on March 22, 2017.
Georgia Press Release – Confirmed H7, Presumptive Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza in a Commercial Flock in Chattooga County, Georgia - The surveillance zone established surrounding quarantined Chattooga Co., Ga premises includes portions of northeast Alabama.
- Poultry technicians have collected samples from commercial and backyard flocks on premises within the surveillance zone. At this time, all samples collected have tested negative for avian influenza.
March 23, 2017
- Sample collection from commercial and backyard flocks continue in both control and surveillance zones based positive avian influenza confirmations.
- Premises under investigation in Covington Co., Ala. confirmed negative for avian influenza.
March 22, 2017
- Commercial breeder flock in Cullman County, Ala. confirmed positive for low pathogenic H7N9 avian influenza (LPAI) by NVSL.
- Cullman Co. premises placed under quarantine.A 10 kilometer (6.21 mile) radius surveillance zone is established surrounding the H7N9 LPAI positive flock in Cullman Co.
- NVSL confirmed commercial flock located in Lauderdale Co., Ala. and backyard flock located in Madison Co., Ala. mentioned in March 14, 2017 press release are both low pathogenic (LPAI) avian influenza.
March 21, 2017
ADAI Press Release – Additional Poultry Flocks Test Positive for Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza
- Commercial breeder flock in Pickens County, Ala. is confirmed presumptive low pathogenic H7N9 avian influenza (LPAI) by NVSL based on the flock not showing clinical signs of illness and antibodies present in samples submitted.
- Pickens Co. premises placed under quarantine.A 10 kilometer (6.21 mile) radius surveillance zone is established surrounding the Pickens Co. premises.
- A 2nd Madison County, Ala. backyard flock is confirmed presumptive low pathogenic H7N9 avian influenza (LPAI) by NVSL based on the flock not showing clinical signs of illness and antibodies present in samples submitted.
- Madison Co. backyard flock placed under quarantine.A 3 kilometer (1.86 mile) radius surveillance zone is established surrounding the Madison Co. premises.
March 20, 2017
- Sample collection from commercial and backyard flocks continue in both control and surveillance zones based positive avian influenza confirmations.
March 16, 2017
ADAI Press Release – Update on Premises under Investigation for Avian Influenza in Alabama
- Samples collected from guinea fowl sold at Taco-Bet Trade Day flea market in Jackson Co. and samples collected from premises of origin of guinea fowl in question also located in Jackson Co., Ala. confirmed positive for low pathogenic H7N9 avian influenza (LPAI) by NVSL.
- Samples continue to be collected in the 3 kilometer (1.86 mile) radius surveillance zone established surrounding the H7N9 LPAI positive flocks in Jackson Co., Ala.
- Premises in Lauderdale and Madison counties are considered presumptive low pathogenic (LPAI) avian influenza by USDA because neither flock exhibited clinical signs of illness.
- Official Order Prohibiting Poultry Exhibitions and the Assembling of Poultry to be Sold remains in effect.
Tennessee Press Release – Second Case of HPAI Detected in Lincoln County
USDA Press Release – USDA Confirms Second Case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in a Commercial Flock in Lincoln County, Tennessee
March 15, 2017
- Sample collection from commercial and backyard flocks continue in both control and surveillance zones based positive avian influenza confirmations.
March 14, 2017
Video – Press Conference Concerning Prohibition of Poultry Exhibitions and Assembling of Poultry to be Sold
ADAI Press Release – Stop Movement Order on Certain Poultry in Alabama
Official Order Prohibiting Poultry Exhibitions and the Assembling of Poultry to be Sold
- This suspect strain of avian influenza does not pose a risk to the food supply. No affected poultry entered the food chain.
- Commercial breeder flock in Lauderdale Co., Ala suspect for avian influenza under investigation. Testing of samples on-going at NVSL in Ames, Iowa.
- Lauderdale Co. premises placed under quarantine.A 10 kilometer (6.21 mile) radius surveillance zone is established surrounding the Lauderdale Co. premises.
- Backyard flock in Madison Co., Ala suspect for avian influenza under investigation. Testing of samples on-going at NVSL in Ames, Iowa.
- Madison Co. premises placed under quarantine.A 3 kilometer (1.86 mile) radius surveillance zone is established surrounding the Madison Co. premises.
- Backyard flock in Jackson Co., Ala suspect for avian influenza under investigation. Testing of samples on-going at NVSL in Ames, Iowa.
- Jackson Co. premises placed under quarantine.A 3 kilometer (1.86 mile) radius surveillance zone is established surrounding the Jackson Co. premises.
March 13, 2017
- Surveillance testing of commercial and backyard flocks continue in control zone based on positive avian influenza cases in Lincoln and Giles counties in Tennessee.
March 12, 2017
- USDA poultry technicians collect samples from guinea fowl at the TaCo-Bet Trade Day flea market near Scottsboro located in Jackson County, Ala. conducting routine surveillance executing Alabama’s HPAI Preparedness and Response Plan.
March 9, 2017
ADAI Press Release – Second Case of Avian Influenza Found in Tennessee
Tennessee Press Release – Poultry Flock Tests Positive for Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza (Giles Co., Tenn.)
CDC Press Release – Outbreak of North American avian influenza A(H7N9) in poultry poses low risk to people
March 7, 2017
USDA Press Release – USDA Issues Update on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Tennessee
March 6, 2017
ADAI Press Release – Avian Influenza Detected near Alabama Border
March 5, 2017
USDA Press Release – USDA Confirms Highly Pathogenic H7 Avian Influenza in a Commercial Flock in Lincoln County, Tennessee
Tennessee Press Release – Virus Deadly to Poultry Detected in Tennessee
- Quarantine control zone established surrounding Lincoln County, Tenn. premises which includes portions of north Alabama.
- Surveillance samples collected on flocks at commercial and backyard premises within the control zone.
- Collected samples sent to the State Diagnostic Laboratory in Auburn, AL.
- If samples are considered suspect for avian influenza based on tests conducted at the State Diagnostic Lab, they are then forwarded to the USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa.