CAREER PATHWAYS
Fellows Lead Public Health Initiatives in Montana
By Kenlie Fite , DrPH ( c ), MPH , CPCLC , lead specialist , Leadership and Ashley Smith , MS , lead specialist , Fellowships
The Public Health Laboratory Fellowship Program : an APHL-CDC Initiative is shaping the future of public health laboratory science by empowering future leaders . Enrico Di Castro Young and Geneka Glover , current fellows at the Montana Department of Livestock Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory , are making significant strides in Montana , spearheading projects that highlight the importance of veterinary and zoonotic disease surveillance .
Di Castro Young ’ s project led to a breakthrough in Montana by creating a much-needed opportunity to stand up testing for highly pathogenic avian influenza ( HPAI ) in domestic household animals in the state . While HPAI testing is common in avian populations , Di Castro Young ’ s work explored the occurrence of this zoonotic disease in domestic animals , specifically cats . Testing revealed a higher-than-expected incidence of HPAI in domestic cats , with positive cases in counties where no previous cases in avian populations had been reported . This novel discovery required significant coordination between various parties including animal producers , pet owners , veterinarians , laboratory personnel , the US Department of Agriculture ( USDA ),
Enrico Di Castro Young demonstrates the proper technique for conducting fellowship project work within a biosafety cabinet .
Geneka Glover displays the proper personal protective equipment necessary to engage in hands-on fellowship project work .
the State Veterinarian ’ s Office and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services . Di Castro Young ’ s data was quickly shared with the USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratory , who integrated the findings into the national surveillance project . The crosslaboratory communication also sparked action in other states , prompting them to begin testing for HPAI in domestic cats . The early identification of HPAI spillover into domestic animals was crucial in shaping national responses to this zoonotic disease outbreak and underlines the importance of veterinary diagnostics in public health .
Meanwhile , Glover has been focused on another pressing issue in Montana : the identification and prevalence of tickborne diseases . Before her fellowship , tick-borne disease testing in the state was minimal . Glover ’ s project changed that landscape when testing identified high seroprevalence of Rocky Mountain spotted fever and canine ehrlichiosis . The surprisingly high seroprevalence
of canine ehrlichiosis uncovered by Glover ’ s project raised concerns about the potential impact on animal health due to the associated high morbidity in domestic dogs — and sparked new questions about the spread of arboviruses and their tick vectors affecting both humans and animals within Montana . In response to this discovery , the laboratory is collaborating with the state ’ s Department of Public Health and Human Services to develop public messaging and guidelines to mitigate tick-borne disease transmission risks .
Both fellows have also benefited from cross-training within the laboratory . Working across departments has allowed them to become proficient in a variety of techniques , from virus isolation and bacterial culture to microagglutination and rabies DFA testing . This interdisciplinary training deepens their expertise and equips them with transferrable skills that are crucial for future careers in public health laboratory science .
For both fellows , the fellowship has provided invaluable experience , not only in laboratory techniques but also in collaboration and public health communication .
Their fellowship projects illuminate the importance of surveillance , early detection and coordination in preventing the spread of diseases from animals to humans , reinforcing the One Health approach that is vital to safeguarding public health .
Through their fellowship experiences , Di Castro Young and Glover are making lasting contributions to Montana ’ s public health infrastructure , demonstrating how the fellowship empowers future leaders in public health laboratory science .” g
8 LAB MATTERS Winter 2024
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