Published on 5 December 2024

Epizootic disease diagnostics – Pigs and wild boars

The IVI is the Swiss reference laboratory for several viral diseases in domestic and wild pigs (under Article 49 of the Epizootic Diseases Ordinance EzDO, German), with laboratories in Mittelhäusern and Bern. See below for relevant information on our virus genome and antibody detection services, and on which samples to send where. Please also note the Procedure in a case of suspected epizootic disease.

If unsure about the correct way to send samples, please refer to the documents listed.

• Classical swine fever (CSF)

  Classical swine fever is a highly contagious epizootic disease (Epizootic Diseases Ordinance EzDO, German). IVI diagnostics are carried out in Mittelhäusern.

  Sample material
  Viral genome detection (RT-qPCR):

  • Live animal: serum (EDTA blood is also an option)
  • Dead animal: tonsil, spleen, lymph nodes, kidney

  Antibody detection (ELISA, SNT):

  • Serum

  More information
  Classical swine fever FSVO (German)

• African swine fever (ASF)

  African swine fever is a highly contagious epizootic disease (Epizootic Diseases Ordinance EzDO, German). IVI diagnostics are carried out in Mittelhäusern.

  Sample material
  Viral genome detection (qPCR):

  • Live animal: EDTA blood
  • Dead animal – Domestic pig: spleen, lymph nodes, tonsil, possibly lung, kidneys (and if necessary blood swab or spleen swab)
  • Dead animal – Wild pig
    – in event of ASF outbreak: spleen, lymph nodes, tonsil, body cavity fluid; in old cadavers: bone marrow
    – for ASF early detection: spleen swab, blood swab, bone marrow swab. Instructions for collecting ASF swab samples (German)

  Antibody detection (ELISA, IIF):

  • Serum

  More information
  African swine fever topic IVI

  African swine fever FSVO (German)
  National early detection programme for ASF in wild pigs FSVO (German)

• Foot and mouth disease (FMD)

  Foot and mouth disease is a highly contagious epizootic disease (Epizootic Diseases Ordinance EzDO). IVI diagnostics are carried out in Mittelhäusern.

  Sample material
  Viral genome detection (RT-qPCR):

  • Live animal: ulcer fluid, epithelial tissue (lesion) and saliva plus serum
  • Dead animal:
    - Epithelial tissue (lesion)/ ulcer fluid and saliva (swab sample also possible)
    - Mucosal changes/lesions of: tongue, mouth, snout, claws
    - Heart muscle
    - Tonsils/lymph nodes (lesion-relevant)
    - Serum if possible
  • Differential diagnosis swine vesicular disease (SVD): also faeces, faecal swab or rectal swab

  Antibody detection (ELISA, SNT):

  • Serum

  More information
  Foot and mouth disease (FMD) (German)

• Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS)

  PRRS is classed as an «epizootic disease to be eradicated» (Epizootic Diseases Ordinance EzDO, German). IVI diagnostics are carried out in Mittelhäusern.

  Sample material
  Viral genome detection (RT-qPCR):

  • Live animal: serum
  • Dead animal: lung, spleen, tonsils, lymph nodes

  Antibody detection (ELISA, IIF):

  • Serum

  Weitere Informationen
  Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) FSVO (German)

• Japanese encephalitis

  Japanese encephalitis is a vector-borne epizootic disease that is classed as «to be monitored» (Epizootic Diseases Ordinance EzDO, German). IVI diagnostics are carried out in Mittelhäusern.

  Sample material
  Viral genome detection (RT-qPCR):

  • Live animal: EDTA blood
  • Dead animal: brain, tonsils

  Antibody detection (ELISA, SNT):

  • Serum

  More information
  Japanese encephalitis FSVO (German)

• Investigation request Diagnostics IVI Mittelhäusern (German)

  PDF628.91 kB14 April 2025

Send samples to:
Institut für Virologie und Immunologie IVI
Sensemattstrasse 293
3147 Mittelhäusern

For queries about diseases and sample materials:
Tel. [phone]
[e-mail]