"It will be a tremendous tool in helping Michigan identify, track and address emerging issues, such as the recent confirmation of West Nile virus in Michigan, as well as provide resources to identify and better understand new diseases that could emerge in the future," Engler says.

The new facility is the result of a cooperative effort between the Michigan Department of Agriculture, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Management and Budget, Department of Community Health, Department of Environmental Quality, Michigan State University, Michigan veterinarians and Michigan's agriculture and wildlife industries.

Designed and constructed with a $58-million appropriation from the state of Michigan, the new 150,000-sf laboratory is being built on a 14.7-acre parcel of land between MSU's Livestock Pavilion and the Beef Cattle Research and Teaching Center.

Once completed, the new AHDL will be one of the largest, most sophisticated and comprehensive veterinary diagnostic facilities in the country. The facility will also consolidate the main laboratory, livestock containment barns, and a deer and wildlife diagnostic/processing center.

The AHDL is scheduled to open in the fall of 2003.