The WOAH (formerly OIE) has a global network of Reference Laboratories across all continents. Each laboratory, within its specific area of expertise, is committed to meeting the essential requirements of a WOAH Reference Laboratory.

In particular, the WOAH Reference Laboratory for West Nile Fever is dedicated to:

• Using and promoting validated diagnostic methods in accordance with WOAH standards.
• Producing reference materials in compliance with WOAH standards and promoting their use.
• Collecting and distributing reference materials and reagents necessary for the diagnosis and control of West Nile Fever to national laboratories.
• Developing, standardising, and validating new procedures for the diagnosis and control of West Nile Fever in accordance with WOAH principles.
• Providing diagnostic support and, when necessary, its technical and scientific expertise for defining control measures for West Nile Fever.
• Conducting and/or coordinating scientific and technical studies in collaboration with other Centres, Laboratories, or Organisations.
• Collecting, processing, analysing, publishing, and disseminating data and information related to West Nile Fever.
• Providing, within its recognised expertise, scientific and technical training to personnel from institutions in WOAH Member Countries.
• Ensuring the implementation of quality assurance principles in laboratories, as well as biosafety and biocontainment measures appropriate for handling the pathogen.
• Organising and participating in scientific events on behalf of WOAH.
• Establishing and maintaining a network with other laboratories in the same field of expertise and regularly organising interlaboratory proficiency testing to ensure result comparability.
• Organising interlaboratory proficiency testing with laboratories involved in pathogen diagnosis to ensure consistency in results.
• Providing WOAH with expert contributions for consultancy purposes.