Boise, Idaho – The Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) announced today that its Animal Health Laboratory (AHL) has officially been accepted as a member of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN), becoming the first laboratory in Idaho to earn this designation.

The Animal Health Laboratory passed a U.S. Department of Agriculture NAHLN audit in June 2025, following several years of preparation and the opening of the new facility in 2023. This recognition is an advancement in Idaho’s animal disease diagnostic capabilities and highlights the state’s commitment to protecting animal health and agriculture.

“Being part of the NAHLN is a major step forward for Idaho,” said ISDA Director Chanel Tewalt. “It reflects our commitment to providing essential animal health services right here at home, because no one cares more about Idaho agriculture than Idaho. This designation means faster answers for producers, efficient responses to disease outbreaks, and a stronger, more secure future for our agricultural industry backed by in-state expertise.”

The NAHLN is a nationally coordinated system of 60 federal, state and university-affiliated laboratories. These labs support conduct early detection testing, enabling rapid response, and aiding recovery from high-consequence animal diseases. NAHLN laboratories are essential for disease surveillance, outbreak response and protecting the nation’s food supply and public health.

As a NAHLN-certified lab, ISDA’s Animal Health Laboratory is now authorized to conduct avian influenza testing on poultry and milk samples collected in Idaho. Previously, those samples had to be sent to out-of-state laboratories, often delaying test results and response times.

ISDA plans to expand its NAHLN-authorized testing to include additional high-consequence animal diseases in the coming months. As a NAHLN member, the laboratory is also eligible for increased federal funding to support operations and further development.

ISDA will host a media tour of the Animal Health Laboratory on Tuesday, July 29 at 1:00 p.m. Media is invited to attend, meet with lab staff, and learn more about the laboratory's capabilities. Please contact Sydney Kennedy at media@isda.idaho.gov or (208) 986-1566 to RSVP.

For more information on ISDA’s Animal Health Laboratory, visit agri.idaho.gov/laboratories/animal-health-laboratory/  

 

Media Contact:

Sydney Kennedy

Public Information Officer

(208) 986-1566

media@isda.idaho.gov