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Avian influenza reference laboratories

International Reference Laboratory

VLA is the international Reference Laboratory for avian influenza, recognised by the European Union (EU), Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). This means is that we provide consultancy on AI around the world.

VLA is a member of OFFLU (the OIE/FAO AI network) and the WHO working group on research at the human/animal interface.

Community Reference Laboratory

In our role as the EU Community Reference Laboratory for AI we:

• maintain FLU-LAB-NET.

• co-ordinate (together with the EU Commission) methods for diagnosing AI within the EU member states.

• actively assist in the diagnosis of AI outbreaks in member states.

• help to train and re-train laboratory experts in order to harmonize laboratory techniques throughout the member states.

• collate and collect information on virus characterisation at an international level.

• oversee and develop programmes of surveillance in bird populations in Europe.

• supply standardised reagents.

• manage, review and incorporate approved revisions to the EU AI diagnostic manual.

• publish approved protocols for the detection of avian influenza virus (AIV).

National Reference Laboratory

VLA is also nominated as the National Reference Laboratory for avian influenza. This means VLA:

• conducts statutory diagnosis of AI

• carries out surveillance

• has developed an active programme of research on influenza in both birds and mammals.

Reference laboratories play a crucial role in the diagnosis of AI and monitoring of the disease throughout the world. The viruses we receive and archive in our capacity as Reference Laboratory, represent an important platform for both research and surveillance projects. 

FLU-LAB-NET

The FLU-LAB-NET Community website is an EU Framework 6 funded project delivered by the VLA IT Unit and Avian Virology in their role as the EU Avian Influenza Community Reference Laboratory.

The website encourages collaboration between the 27 EU Member State National Research Laboratories and their respective partners on avian influenza. It provides a secure online environment where knowledge and advice can be exchanged via forums, gallaries and a download area.