Our work
We are an international reference laboratory for animal influenza and Newcastle disease.
We are recognised by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) as a reference laboratory and reference centre for:
Avian influenza (AI)
Swine influenza (SwIV)
Newcastle disease (ND)
Our work brings technical excellence to the global diagnostic field, and this is supported by active research. We provide expert disease advice on AI, SwIV and ND, through a range of services and resources relevant to these viruses.
What we do
As an international reference laboratory, we focus on 5 main areas
providing expert advice, training, and technical assistance to other laboratories
conducting confirmatory tests to identify AI viruses and subtypes
developing and validating diagnostic tests for AI
maintaining reference strains and reagents for AI detection
conducting research to improve understanding of AI viruses and their transmission
Our services
As an international reference laboratory, we offer a range of services and assistance in pathogen confirmation and characterisation to international standards, including the provision of specialist support and advice.
Fostering collaboration
Through collaboration we maintain a network for laboratory specialists and other scientific professionals working in the area of veterinary public health and wildlife disease. We collaborate on a range of research activities and welcome opportunities to grow our network.
Training
Our duties as an international reference laboratory for WOAH include providing scientific and technical training for personnel from WOAH member countries. This includes running both national and international workshops.
Classification
We provide scientific and technical advice on pathogen classification and disease control measures. By maintaining one of the largest viral repositories globally for influenza and Newcastle disease viruses (dating back 35 years) we act as a sharable resource both for test development and research activities.
Diagnostics
By deploying a portfolio of globally accredited (UKAS:17025 quality standard) test procedures we aid in the diagnosis for our three named diseases. We additionally prepare proficiency panels for in-country evaluation of testing capability and share these with over 35 countries with linkages to more countries in endemic regions being made regularly.
Expert advice
We have been an international reference laboratory for avian influenza and Newcastle disease for more than 35 years.
Our expertise includes:
Quality assurance in laboratory testing
Biosafety
Biosecurity
Advanced scientific research using cutting edge research techniques
We also:
provide recommendations for testing and vaccines
offer scientific advice and training to partner organisations in WOAH member countries
provide expert consultants
We share our standard operating procedures with partner organisations and countries. We also provide tailored training. This helps strengthen global capabilities to prevent, detect and respond to avian influenza, mammalian influenza and Newcastle disease.
OFFLU
We are a member of OFFLU, an international network created by WOAH and FAO.
OFFLU brings together experts from around the world to help prevent, detect and control animal influenza. Professor Ashley Banyard, our Director, is the Chair of the OFFLU Steering Committee.
OFFLU works to:
share technical advice, training and veterinary expertise between global organisations and member countries
support disease prevention, diagnosis, surveillance and control of animal influenza
share research data and materials (including virus strains) within the network
collaborate with WHO on issues relating to the animal-human interface, including pandemic preparedness for early preparation of human vaccine
promote the development and coordination of influenza surveillance and research needs
Surveillance activities
APHA has a varied portfolio of animal influenza and NDV test procedures. These tests are globally accredited to UKAS:17025 quality standard. This includes the testing of samples sourced both nationally and internationally.
This data is collected, processed, analysed, and published, enabling us to disseminate epizootiological information to the public and scientific community. Our protocols are available to all including translation into WOAH/FAO relevant languages.
Beyond direct testing, we also network with WOAH reference laboratories and others to organise inter-laboratory proficiency testing and training. This helps to maintain high standards of diagnostic capability, both for us and throughout this network.
Research
APHA Weybridge is globally recognised for its high quality, impartial scientific research and policy expertise.
Research into animal diseases has been carried out at the site for more than 100 years.
Our laboratory holds one of the world's largest viral repositories of animal influenza with our oldest isolates dating back to 1973.
Our repository acts as a key resource which helps us to develop and support scientific and technical studies with a wide range of collaborators. This work includes the development of diagnostic testing to WOAH Standards, research activities investigating virus function and their impacts on hosts, and vaccine verification.
On the back of this work, we regularly organise and participate in scientific meetings on behalf of the WOAH and representing APHA.