Rabies

Image of a batVLA is the national reference laboratory for rabies. We are also a World Health Organisation (WHO) collaborating centre and the World Animal Health (OIE) Reference Laboratory for the characterisation of rabies and rabies related viruses.

VLA Rabies & Wildlife Zoonoses Group

The VLA Rabies and Wildlife Zoonoses Group is actively involved in a wide range of research and surveillance programmes. The Group comprises virologists, immunologists and molecular biologists who are responsible for the laboratory diagnosis of rabies in both animals and humans and also for serological testing. We manage a number of surveillance programmes of UK domestic and wildlife species including bats.

We also provide a consultancy service to Defra and other international organisations (WHO/OIE) and manage a number of EU and Defra driven research projects including investigations into rabies molecular epidemiology, pathogenesis and host cell responses.