Recent pandemics like H1N1, avian influenza, and COVID-19 have underscored a troubling truth: close to 75% of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases originate from animals. As zoonotic outbreaks surge, diagnostic labs, especially in human health, often become overwhelmed. Veterinary diagnostic laboratories (VDLs), with their capacity for high-volume testing and expertise in infectious disease detection, stepped up during COVID-19 to support national testing efforts. Yet, their full potential was hampered by regulatory barriers such as the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) certification, which restricts their ability to conduct human diagnostic tests.
To unlock the full potential of VDLs in future pandemics, robust systems are needed to manage data, streamline workflows, meet regulatory guidelines, and ensure rapid results. A veterinary Laboratory Information System (LIS) plays a vital role here, enhancing lab efficiency, accuracy, and integration with public health systems.
The Link Between Animal Health and Human Pandemics
Zoonotic diseases, infectious diseases that are transmitted from animals to humans, include historical and contemporary pandemics such as the H1N1 influenza pandemic in 2009 (which originated from avian and swine sources), recurring Ebola outbreaks in Africa (possibly from fruit bats), and the recent COVID-19 pandemic.
Wildlife, livestock, and domesticated animals serve as reservoirs for many pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites that pose threats to human health. Without proper surveillance, these pathogens can cross species barriers, leading to outbreaks and even pandemics. The increasing interaction between human and animal populations, driven by deforestation, urbanization, global trade of meat and seafood, and agricultural expansion, heightens the risk of zoonotic spillovers.
The ongoing threat of avian influenza further illustrates the critical role of VDLs in monitoring and responding to zoonotic disease risks. Avian influenza viruses can sometimes infect humans, usually after close contact with infected poultry. Though rare, some strains have caused severe illness and contributed to at least three human pandemics in the past century: the 1957 H2N2, 1968 H3N2, and 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemics.
Given these concerns, the One Health approach, an interdisciplinary strategy that integrates human, animal, and environmental health, has gained global recognition as an essential framework for pandemic prevention and response.
The Role of Veterinary Laboratories: Early Detection and Surveillance
VDLs possess expertise in handling complex pathogens, including those with zoonotic potential. Their capacity to conduct high-throughput testing, genetic sequencing, and pathogen characterization makes them valuable assets in pandemic response efforts. Unlike human diagnostic labs, which often experience overwhelming demand during health emergencies, VDLs often have the infrastructure to process large volumes of samples efficiently.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, veterinary diagnostic laboratories in the United States demonstrated their capacity to support human health efforts. A study by researchers at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine found that these facilities conducted over 8.25 million SARS-CoV-2 tests, significantly bolstering national testing efforts. These contributions highlighted the adaptability of VDLs in responding to public health crises beyond their traditional focus on animal disease diagnostics.
Strengthening their integration into public health frameworks and addressing regulatory barriers will be essential for global pandemic preparedness.
The importance of VDLs extends beyond COVID-19. These laboratories have been instrumental in containing avian influenza outbreaks. For instance, during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, VDLs collaborated with public health agencies to monitor the virus’s impact on animal populations. The pandemic strain originated from a swine influenza virus, underscoring the necessity of veterinary surveillance in understanding transmission dynamics and implementing biosecurity measures to limit further spread.
However, the involvement of VDLs in pandemic response has not been without challenges. Many laboratories faced bureaucratic hurdles, such as the requirement for Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) certification to process human samples. These administrative obstacles slowed their ability to contribute fully to testing efforts. Addressing such regulatory barriers is crucial for ensuring that veterinary diagnostic resources are rapidly deployed in future pandemics.
Overcoming Regulatory Barriers: CLIA Challenges for Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories
VDLs have the expertise and infrastructure to support pandemic response, but CLIA certification requirements prevent them from fully participating in human diagnostic testing. Despite using similar techniques, VDLs are not automatically authorized to conduct human tests, delaying their ability to assist when human labs are overwhelmed.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many VDLs supported clinical diagnostics labs in testing, but unfortunately, they faced significant resistance. The Cornell University survey found that 71% of VDLs faced certification hurdles, with workforce limitations (58%) and organizational constraints (38%) also posing challenges. Some institutions faced resistance from university leadership and public health agencies, further delaying their ability to contribute.
Barriers to VDL involvement in human testing
| Barrier | Frequency (%) |
| CLIA certification/licensure | 71 |
| Limited workforce | 58 |
| Organizational constraints | 38 |
| Equipment/supply shortages | 33 |
| Coordination issues | 29 |
To enhance future pandemic preparedness, policy reforms should enable VDLs to be placed on standby for emergency testing, removing unnecessary regulatory barriers and leveraging their capacity to strengthen national diagnostic efforts.
Enhancing Pandemic Preparedness for Veterinary Labs
To maximize the role of VDLs in pandemic response, governments and health agencies must foster cross-sector collaboration, enabling seamless data sharing and resource allocation between veterinary and human diagnostic labs. Investing in advanced infrastructure, including genomic sequencing and AI-driven surveillance, will strengthen early detection and containment efforts.
Regulatory reforms are essential to remove legislative barriers that prevent VDLs from participating in human diagnostics during health crises. Additionally, cross-training veterinary and human health professionals will enhance response capacity, while increasing public awareness of VDLs’ contributions can build support for their integration into pandemic preparedness strategies.
The Role of Veterinary Laboratory Software in Pandemic Response
Veterinary lab software such as an LIS plays a critical role in enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of diagnostic processes. These systems streamline sample tracking, automate processes and data management, and facilitate rapid reporting, ensuring timely responses to emerging infectious diseases. By integrating with public health reporting systems, they enable real-time data sharing, improving collaboration between veterinary and human health agencies.
During pandemics, an LIS helps manage high testing volumes, maintain quality control, and support genomic surveillance efforts by tracking pathogen mutations. Their ability to centralize diagnostic information enhances disease monitoring, aiding early detection and containment strategies. Implementing the right veterinary LIS can significantly improve pandemic preparedness and response capabilities.
Conclusion: Strengthening One Health Through Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories
The One Health approach underscores the vital link between human, animal, and environmental health, with veterinary diagnostic laboratories (VDLs) playing a crucial role in bridging these sectors. By collaborating with public health agencies, VDLs enhance disease surveillance, improve data sharing, and strengthen response efforts to emerging threats.
The COVID-19 pandemic and Ebola outbreaks have demonstrated the value of integrating veterinary expertise into public health frameworks. From increasing testing capacity to identifying zoonotic reservoirs, VDLs contribute significantly to pandemic preparedness and containment strategies. Veterinary laboratory software strengthens the capacity of VDLs to support these efforts and play a more impactful role in the pandemic response.