Working for public and animal health
Equine West Nile virus (WNV) serology
West Nile virus (WNV) is a notifiable disease in horses and therefore any suspicion of clinical WNV infection must be reported to your local Divisional Veterinary Manager and Animal Health. For more information please visit Defra's website.
Guidance on how to submit a sample for West Nile virus serology is explained in the following Guidance Sheet for Sample Submission (29kb pdf).
A submission form (pdf) is also available.
The VLA provides a serological assay to detect antibodies to WNV in equine serum samples.
Testing is performed by a Plaque Reduction Neutralisation Test (PRNT), which determines the titre at which a serum sample gives 90% reduction in virus-formed plaques.
We are currently working towards gaining ISO 17025 accreditation for this test.