Published on 3 December 2024

Epizootic disease diagnostics – Equines

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

From mid-February 2025, all equine diseases will be diagnosed in Mittelhäusern.

• African horse sickness (AHS)

  African horse sickness is a highly contagious vector-borne epizootic disease (Epizootic Diseases Ordinance EzDO). IVI diagnostics are carried out in Mittelhäusern.

  Sample material
  Viral genome detection (RT-qPCR):

  • Live animal: EDTA blood
  • Dead animal: lung, spleen

  Antibody detection

  • Serum

  More information
  African horse sickness FSVO (German)

• Equine infectious anaemia (EIA)

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

  Sample material
  Antibody detection (Coggins test):

  • Serum

  More information
  Equine infectious anaemia (EIA) FSVO (German)

• Equine arteritis (AE)

  Equine arteritis is classed as an «epizootic disease to be monitored» (Epizootic Diseases Ordinance EzDO). IVI diagnostics are carried out in Mittelhäusern.

  Sample material
  Viral genome detection (RT-qPCR):

  • Live animal: EDTA blood, nasal swab, semen
  • Dead animal: abortion material, spleen, lymph nodes

  Antibody detection

  • Serum

• West Nile fever

  West Nile fever is a vector-borne epizootic disease that is classed as «to be monitored» (Epizootic Diseases Ordinance EzDO). IVI diagnostics are carried out in Mittelhäusern. Please always send sample material for both viral genome and antibody detection.

  Sample material
  Viral genome detection (RT-qPCR):

  • Live animal: serum, CSF
  • Dead animal: brain, CSF

  Antibody detection (please indicate vaccination status)

  • Serum

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

• Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE), Western equine encephalitis (WEE), Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE)

  VEE, WEE and EEE are vector-borne epizootic diseases classed as «to be controlled» (VEE) or «to be monitored» (EEE, WEE) (Epizootic Diseases Ordinance EzDO). In a suspected case of VEE, EEE or WEE, please contact the IVI by telephone or email. The IVI itself holds no diagnostics for these diseases. We forward such cases to the European reference laboratory.

  More information
  Equine encephalitis FSVO (German)

• Equine Influenza

  Equine influenza is not classed as a notifiable epizootic. IVI diagnostics are carried out in Mittelhäusern.

  Sample material
  Viral genome detection:

  • Live animal: nasal swab, BAL
  • Dead animal: lung

  Antibody detection

  • Serum

• 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]