During an outbreak, the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) serves as:

• A. It coordinates outbreak responses across states
• B. It is a network of laboratories that support NVSL during an outbreak by testing suspect herds and conducting surveillance testing
• C. It licenses diagnostic laboratories for foreign diseases
• D. It provides funding for import/export inspections

Answer: (B)

During an outbreak, the National Animal Health Laboratory Network functions as a coordinated system of laboratories that support the National Veterinary Services Laboratories by performing diagnostic testing for suspected cases and carrying out surveillance testing. This network pools testing capacity across state, federal, and sometimes university labs, using standardized methods and quality controls, so results can be quickly shared with NVSL and used to confirm infections and track spread.

This role is distinct from activities like coordinating outbreak responses across states, licensing diagnostic labs for foreign diseases, or funding import/export inspections, which are handled by other agencies or programs. The key idea is that NAHLN provides the laboratory testing backbone for outbreak investigation and surveillance, enabling rapid detection and situational awareness.