National database to trace animal diseases.

• Position: Bioterrorism - Brief Article

As America faces the threat of anthrax assaults, scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Ames (Iowa) Laboratory are preparing a tool that could help in the battle against bioterrorism. The Identification and Documentation of Currently Available Veterinary Science Resources project utilizes expertise at the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory to compile an online database of existing information on the most-deadly animal diseases that could possibly damage or wipe out the livestock industry and, as in the case of anthrax, infect humans as well.

The database includes a listing of recognized experts for each of the infectious agents and the diagnostic facilities currently testing for those diseases. "It provides an invaluable resource to those on the front lines in defending against a bioterrorist threat," notes Gary Osweiler, director of the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. "It will help veterinarians more quickly diagnose potentially deadly diseases, which, in turn, may help stop the spread of those agents."

The database is especially valuable for identifying biological agents not common to a particular area. "Because there are some diseases they just don't come across very often, vets typically post questions on [the Internet] asking if anyone is familiar with a certain disease and how to diagnose it," he indicates. "The data we've gathered puts that kind of information right in front of them and provides them with other resources such as...