WOAH Reference Laboratory for West Nile Fever

The value of the scientific activities carried out by the IZSAM for the West Nile Fever was acknowledged by OIE in 2010 when the Institute was appointed as OIE reference laboratory for West Nile.

The WOAH has a worldwide network of Reference laboratories located in all continents. Each laboratory, within its specific mandate, is requested to fulfil the terms of reference recognised as essential for any WOAH reference laboratory. In particular the WOAH reference laboratory for West Nile Fever is committed:

• to use, promote and disseminate diagnostic methods validated according to WOAH Standards;
• to recommend the prescribed and alternative tests or vaccines as WOAH Standards;
• to develop reference material in accordance with WOAH requirements, and implement and promote the application of WOAH Standards;
• to store and distribute to national laboratories biological reference products and any other reagents used in the diagnosis and control of the designated pathogens or diseases;
• to develop, standardise and validate according to WOAH Standards new procedures for diagnosis and control of the designated pathogens or diseases;
• to provide diagnostic testing facilities, and, where appropriate, scientific and technical advice on disease control measures to WOAH Member Countries;
• to carry out and/or coordinate scientific and technical studies in collaboration with other laboratories, centres or organisations;
• to collect, process, analyse, publish and disseminate epizootiological data relevant to the designated pathogens or diseases;
• to provide scientific and technical training for personnel from WOAH Member Countries;
• to maintain a system of quality assurance, biosafety and biosecurity relevant for the pathogen and the disease concerned;
• to organise and participate in scientific meetings on behalf of the WOAH;
• to establish and maintain a network with other WOAH Reference Laboratories designated for the same pathogen or disease and organise regular inter-laboratory proficiency testing to ensure comparability of results;
• to organise inter-laboratory proficiency testing with laboratories other than WOAH Reference Laboratories for the same pathogens and diseases to ensure equivalence of results;
• to place expert consultants at the disposal of the WOAH.