Outcomes:
1. Distribution of optimized cell lines and reference reagents for fish health laboratories dealing with Great Lakes VHSV.
2. Development of a database of background and genetic typing data on VHSV isolates from the Great Lakes.

Outcomes:
1. Knowledge of susceptibility of 6 important Great Lakes natural resource fish species to Great Lakes VHSV
2. New diagnostic tools for detection and quantification of VHSV IBb, and VHSV IVb antibodies

Outcomes:
1. Determine the safety and efficacy of iodine disinfection on walleye and northern pike eggs infected with VHS
2. Prepare and electronically disseminate a VHS \"response\" packet that specifically targets fish farm producers. The packet would address aspects of the disease (clinical signs, routes of transmission) and prevention practices to minimize introduction and spread. The packet will also contain websites and information sources where fish farmers can obtain the most current, up-to-date status of the disease
3. Conduct a series of six biosecurity workshops held at different fish farms across the region, targeting different production systems (flow-through, pond, and recirculation systems)
4. Utilize the existing Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) Training Curriculum to develop specific fish disease HACCP plans for each of the six facilities involved in the workshops
5. Develop and distribute three model fish disease HACCP plans (one each for flow-through, pond, and recirculation systems)
6. Produce a fish farm biosecurity video that incorporates different system types and footage shot at the workshops, and distribute this video to end users via DVD and internet streaming videos

Outcomes:
Objective 1. Infection Trials:
a. Manuscript describing the comparative susceptibility of Atlantic salmon, walleye and hybrid striped bass to VHSV IVb
b. Above information provided to the Extension/Outreach team members for inclusion in the VHSV Workshops and in web-based materials

Objective 2. Validation of the qRT-PCR:
a. Manuscript describing the comparative capabilities of cell culture, RT-PCR and qRT-PCR for the detection of VHSV IVb
b. Presentation of the above information to the Fish Health Section/American Fisheries Society and the OIE for their evaluation, with the goal of acceptance of the qRT-PCR as a validated and accepted test method

Objective 3. Extension/Outreach: a. Organize 2 workshops year
b. Compile/review existing information on VHS/VHSV from the scientific literature
c. Compile/review existing information on HACCP and some successful case history applications
d. Develop PowerPoint presentations on VHS/VHSV and HACCP
e. Develop HACCP plan for aquaculturalists
f. Develop/produce web-based materials summarizing HACCP plan for VHSV

Outcomes:
1. Five one or two-day interactive biosecurity/BMP training workshops conducted in Maine, Massachusetts, West Virginia, New York and Pennsylvania
2. Production of a Biosecurity/BMP Resource Manual, adaptable to specific species and/or facility design, and distributed at workshops and beyond (via Internet and other outlets)
3. Creation and maintenance of a public access web-based database with information resources relevant to aquaculture stakeholders, including current disease research, fish health resources, state/federal/international testing requirements and other regulatory information, as well as updates to biosecurity/BMP recommendations

Outcomes:
1. Understanding of the relative susceptibility of four fish host species to infection and disease caused by VHSV strains from the Great Lakes, West Coast, and Europe
2. Diagnostic test for differentiating Great lakes VHSV type IVb from West coast VHSV IVa
3. Knowledge of how VHSV IVb and IVa strains interact in competition

Outcomes:
Create modules for the online environement that allow producers to complete the online certification program on their own computer and at their own pace and time.