OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
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The Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory’s mission is to diagnose animal disease and protect Oregon’s environment and public health.
We’re on the front line monitoring for zoonotic diseases (those spread between animals and humans), spearheading the prevention and response to those diseases and other threats.
These include our response to highly contagious bacterial disease, highly-pathogenic avian influenza and mosquito-born illnesses. Yet the OVDL remains in need of resources.
(As a visual example of the lab's current impact across the state, see the heat maps below for a county-by-county breakdown of the lab's current testing for avian influenza, rabies and West Nile virus.)
The Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory is operating in antiquated facilities inappropriate for contemporary diagnostic needs and future disease threats. The OVDL needs a modern 21st century laboratory to respond to current and emerging diseases that threaten animals and humans alike.
Oregon's Legislative Policy and Research Office report "Monitoring, Preventing, and Responding to Zoonotic Diseases in Oregon" identified the OVDL as "central to activities of the state’s zoonotic response framework," yet the OVDL remains in need of state funding.
Consistent with the report, through coordinated legislative advocacy efforts, the OVDL was able to secure an additional $1,905,000 in state funding for 2024 with the passage of Oregon Senate Bill 5701 in the 2024 legislative session ending in March.
These funds are being used to support programs to improve Oregon’s zoonotic disease coordination, monitoring, prevention and response.
It's a step in the right direction, but the OVDL remains in need of long-term sustained state funding.
What can you do to support the OVDL in its mission to keep the public safe from zoonotic disease?
Contact your legislators and urge them to continue to support the OVDL.
