Unraveling Animal Health Mysteries: APHIS Bolsters UME Testing

In the realm of animal health, unexplained illnesses or deaths are a cause for concern. These unexplained morbidity or mortality events, or UMEs, demand our attention, as they could signal emerging threats to animal and public health.

That's why APHIS is stepping up its efforts to investigate UMEs. With the Investigation of Unusual Morbidity and Mortality Events project, APHIS is partnering with Michigan State University’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, a member of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) to support additional testing of animals across the network that are ill or died due to unknown reasons after basic investigations and diagnostics find no cause.

This initiative may be a game-changer in our quest to protect animal health. By supporting UME investigations, APHIS is empowering state and federal agencies, universities, and other organizations to conduct additional diagnostic testing of animals that succumbed in illness to unexplained causes.

This testing is akin to detective work, helping us uncover the culprits behind these animal illnesses and deaths. It allows us to potentially identify the cause of illness or death, assess potential risks to other animals or public health, and take swift action to prevent the spread of diseases.

Early detection is key in the fight against animal health threats. With this continued funding, APHIS is enabling a proactive approach to identifying and addressing potential hazards before they escalate into larger outbreaks.

If a stakeholder or partner agency suspects they may have a UME in non-wildlife animals for which initial testing for common causes does not determine the reason for the illness or deaths, they should report it to a NAHLN Laboratory. If a stakeholder or partner agency suspects they may have a UME in wildlife animals, they should report it to their local wildlife agency. In most cases, in order to qualify for additional testing support, UMEs must have undergone routine testing to look for common potential causes of the illness or deaths.

The UME project underscores APHIS' unwavering commitment to safeguarding animal health and preventing future pandemics. By investing in UME testing, we're arming ourselves with the knowledge and tools to protect our nation's animals and food supply.