This new guidance document replaces VS Memorandum 555.16. We would like to draw your attention to some of the notable changes below.
Official Forms: The official form identified in this guidance is VS Form 10-11. Any forms created by individual states or other entities in existence at the time of this guidance’s publication (October 15, 2019) will be granted a six-month grace period during which they will still be acceptable for laboratory submission. After the six-month grace period (after April 15, 2020), any forms other than VS Form 10-11 must be approved by VS officials and contain identical data points to VS Form 10-11. Please be aware that the laboratory will not be able to accept any unofficial forms after April 15, 2020. Since VSPS is a service of USDA-APHIS, their electronic form will be considered official. However, if you routinely use a third-party service, like GlobalVetLINK, please ensure their electronic form is in compliance.
Completion of Official Forms: The guidance requires official forms to be complete and legible. All fields must be completed. If any field is “none,” write “none” or line through, do NOT leave blank. Please be aware that a written narrative description of the animal’s unique and permanent identifiers (distinctive markings, brands, tattoos, scars, microchip numbers, etc.) is required. Additionally, a signed statement identifying the submitter as a category II federally accredited veterinarian in the state that the sample was obtained is also required. Note: All forms submitted electronically through VSPS are considered digitally signed. The lab may process samples accompanied by incomplete forms, however, we will not release results until the form is properly completed.
Sample Quality: Samples should be submitted to the laboratory as soon as possible after collection. We are required to reject any samples older than 30 days, as they do not reflect current exposure status.
Reporting of Results: As noted above, results will not be released for samples accompanied by incomplete forms, until the forms have been properly completed. If paper forms are used, appropriate copies will be mailed to the submitter. All final and preliminary test results will be shared at defined intervals with state and federal regulatory officials (state animal health officials and area veterinarians in charge).
All samples testing non-negative (positive, suspect, discrepant, or equivocal) at the MU VMDL are considered preliminary and must be referred to and confirmed by NVSL. NVSL may conduct ancillary testing or request additional samples. The cost of confirmatory or requested ancillary testing will be covered by NVSL, however, additional shipping/handling (laboratory) and sample collection (veterinary) charges may apply. For testing requiring NVSL confirmation, the official EIA test form must include the appended NVSL result page to be valid.
Changes to Official Forms: Before distribution of the final results, the submitting veterinarian may request changes to form VS 10-11 (spelling mistakes, address corrections). After distribution of the final results, the information recorded on VS 10-11 cannot be changed. A new sample and new form must be submitted to the laboratory.
Please let us know if you have any questions regarding this new guidance. We look forward to receiving your samples!