July 5, 2007

USDA builds new high-containment animal research facility

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) will build a new high-containment animal facility that combines several research facilities into one location. The structure -- designed for optimal safety and security for animal research -- is the second component of a multi-phase US$460 million project.

The high-containment" facility will work with a variety of endemic, zoonotic and foreign animal diseases in what is called Biological Safety Level 3 (BSL3) space. This includes features such as airtight walls, filtered air and liquid waste treatment technology.

The new building contains more than 155,000 square feet and will house cattle, bison, elk, deer, reindeer, sheep and pigs and will include designated areas for scientists and researchers of USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS).  It will also include diagnostics-testing training and biologic product evaluation by employees of USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

Likewise, construction of a consolidated laboratory and a low-containment animal complex are already underway which will be the biggest in the world upon its completion by 2009. The animal health centre will have about one million square feet of laboratory and research facilities, including the BSL3 space.