Who uses the data the laboratory generates and for what purpose?
Veterinarians and producers use the data to diagnose disease and other health related issues in both wild and domestic animals. Although maintenance of client confidentiality is fundamental for the WSVL and we successfully worked with the 2004 legislature to ensure the confidentiality of client reports, there are exceptions. If a foreign animal disease is suspected, the laboratory works closely with the State Veterinarian to provide information to the USDA’s Area Veterinarian in Charge’s office. The laboratory will report findings related to public health (rabies, plague, tularemia, Q fever and salmonellosis) to the Wyoming Department of Health. The laboratory collect summary data and use case materials to augment our research and extension mission. The latter effort, however, is done in such a manner as to avoid breaking the patient-client confidence.
