Project Summary Drug-resistant bacterial infections pose a serious and growing public health threat globally. In order to enhance the antibiotic resistance surveillance data for the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS), the WAPHL proposes a continued collaboration with FDA to survey antibiotic resistance of bacteria isolated from retail meat and seafood in Washington’s Puget Sound Region. The primary outcomes we hope to achieve as a result of our project are to maintain the ability to: 1) Collect and process samples within a relevant time frame, such as that described in the FDA protocol and guidelines 2) Perform microbiological tests, such as those described in the project protocol, of the total samples suggested by the FDA 3) Utilize results from the project to analyze quality assurance practices 4) Integrate and coordinate surveillance activities 5) Exchange relevant and complete surveillance data 6) Use data to inform program and policy development 7) Employ data for education on current and emerging hazards 8) Support awareness of antimicrobial resistance among the public 9) Identify foodborne illness outbreaks and coordinate outbreak investigations 10) Analyze antimicrobial resistance data in our jurisdiction over time 11) Defend our jurisdictions involvement in protecting and promoting the public's health. Funds from this award will be used over the next 5 years to: 1) enhanced outbreak investigation response and reporting 2) improve surveillance to drive public health action in WA State 3) seek collaboration opportunities among city, county, state, and federal partners and other external partners 4) sustain and enhance our laboratory diagnostic capabilities 5) improve laboratory coordination and outreach/information flow in order to coordinate stronger connections between our communicable disease epidemiologists and laboratory functions at the state and local levels in WA State 6) explore ways to develop integrated surveillance information systems. Data obtained from this project will help to determine prevalence trends of bacteria and their antibiotic resistance in retail meats and seafood within Washington State. Additionally, it will also be used to inform policy, affect regulatory actions, monitor trends in resistance, raise awareness of the appropriate use of antibiotics to attain optimal health for people, animals and our environment.