Published on 5 December 2024

Epizootic disease diagnostics – Birds

In collaboration with the National Reference Centre for Poultry and Rabbit Diseases (NRGK), the IVI is the Swiss reference laboratory for several viral diseases in poultry and wild birds (under Article 49 of the Epizootic Diseases Ordinance EzDO, German). Primary diagnostics are generally carried out at the NRGK, while the IVI is responsible for further characterisation of positive cases. In cases of suspicion and exclusion testing, the NRGK should therefore be informed in the first instance.

Please also note the correct Procedure in a case of suspected epizootic disease.

• Avian influenza (classical avian influenza/bird flu)

  Avian influenza is a highly contagious epizootic disease (Epizootic Diseases Ordinance EzDO). Diagnostics are primarily carried out at the NRGK and only in exceptional cases (prior evaluation by telephone) at the IVI in Mittelhäusern.

  More information
  Bird flu in animals FSVO (German)

• Newcastle disease

  Newcastle disease is a highly contagious epizootic disease (Epizootic Diseases Ordinance EzDO). Diagnostics are primarily carried out at the NRGK and only in exceptional cases (prior evaluation by telephone) at the IVI in Mittelhäusern.

  More information
  Newcastle disease (ND) (German)

• West Nile fever in birds

  West Nile fever in birds is a vector-borne epizootic disease that is classed as «to be monitored» (Epizootic Diseases Ordinance EzDO). Diagnostics in birds (in contrast to WNF in horses) are carried out primarily at the NRGK and only in exceptional cases (prior evaluation by telephone) at the IVI in Mittelhäusern.

  More information
  West Nile fever (WNF) FSVO (German)