WOAH & FAO activities
On January 2001 the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe) was appointed as WOAH Reference Laboratory (RL) for avian influenza and Newcastle disease and in 2008 it was recognized as FAO Reference Centre (RC) for animal influenza and Newcastle disease.
The WOAH/FAO reference laboratory functions as centre of expertise and standardization of diagnostic techniques. The Reference experts are active researchers helping the centre to provide scientific and technical assistance and expert advice on topics linked to diagnosis, surveillance and control of the disease.
They also provide scientific and technical training for veterinarian technicians and students, and coordinate scientific activities in collaboration with other laboratories or organizations to strengthen their capacity to diagnose AI and ND infections.
Mandate and activities of the WOAH Reference Laboratory
- 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, standardize and validate new procedures for the diagnosis and control of AI and ND viruses according to WOAH Standards
- To carry out and/or coordinate scientific and technical studies in collaboration with other laboratories, centres or organizations
- To collect, process, analyse, publish and disseminate epizootiological data relevant to the designated pathogen or disease
- To provide diagnostic testing facilities, and, where appropriate, scientific and technical advice on disease control measures to WOAH Member Countries
- To provide scientific and technical training for personnel from WOAH Member Countries
You can find more information on the WOAH-funded projects, which are still ongoing or were conducted in the last years in Research and Projects.
Mandate and activities of the FAO Reference Centre
- To standardize technology, therapeutic and other substances as well as methods/procedures
- To provide diagnostic testing facilities, and, where appropriate, scientific and technical advice on disease control measures
- To carry out and/or coordinate scientific and technical studies in collaboration with other laboratories, centres or organizations
- To provide reference substances and offer services such as quality assurance
- To provide scientific/technical advice and information and guide policies related to animal health
- To contribute to the development of capacity building skills inter alia through the provision of training sessions
Contacts
WOAH Expert of the WOAH Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease
Isabella Monne
E-mail: imonne@izsvenezie.it
Phone: +39 049 8084381
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Acting Director of FAO Reference Centre for Animal Influenza and Newcastle Disease
Calogero Terregino
E-mail: cterregino@izsvenezie.it
Phone. +39 049 8084377
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