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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