Published on 5 November 2024

The Swiss Rabies Centre

As the National Reference Laboratory for Rabies, the Swiss Rabies Centre at the Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI) is responsible for laboratory diagnosis of rabies in humans and animals. Our diagnostic services include both post-vaccination antibody testing and virus detection.

The Swiss Rabies Centre:

  • Checks vaccination success in humans (after pre- and post-exposure vaccination, German).
  • Carries out antibody tests on animals to determine post-vaccination titre levels, e.g. for travel abroad.
  • Supports the public health and veterinary authorities (federal and cantonal) in rabies detection and surveillance.
  • Offers advice for medical and veterinary professionals and public authorities.

Travel

The Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) is responsible for matters concerning travel requirements for pets. Relevant information is available online: Crossing the border with dogs, cats or ferrets, Overview of animal diseases and Animal disease diagnostics  (in German, French or Italian). Specific questions can also be sent to info@blv.admin.ch.

Medical advice for travellers: www.healthytravel.ch

Opening hours and availability

Testing over Easter
Wednesday, 8 April 2026 (no testing on Easter Monday)
Results sent on Friday, 10 April 2026 by first class post/email

Testing over Whitsun
Wednesday, 27 May 2026 (no testing on Whit Monday)
Results sent on Friday, 29 May 2026 by first class post/email

We aim to adhere to the stated testing times wherever possible. However, as the number of samples currently exceeds our testing capacity, it is not always possible to process them all immediately. Thank you for your understanding!

The Swiss Rabies Centre is open from Monday to Friday (working days).

Specific information for animal owners as well as for veterinary and medical professionals:

5 November 2024

Rabies testing in animals

Testing over EasterWednesday, 8 April 2026 (no testing on Easter Monday)Results sent on Friday, 10 April 2026 by first class post/emailTesting over WhitsunWednesday, 27 May 2026 (no testing on Whit Monday)Results sent on Friday, 29 May 2026 by first class post/emailWe aim to adhere to the stated testing times wherever possible. However, as the number of samples currently exceeds our testing capacity, it is not always possible to process them all immediately. Thank you for your understanding!

More about «Rabies testing in animals»

5 November 2024

Rabies testing in humans

In rabies vaccination, a distinction is drawn between preventive vaccination before any contact with the virus (pre-exposure prophylaxis) and the more complicated vaccination after possible contact (post-exposure prophylaxis) (FOPH guidelines and recommendations: pre- and post-exposure rabies prophylaxis in humans, German).

More about «Rabies testing in humans»

27 November 2024

The epidemiology of rabies

Worldwide, there are an estimated 59,000 human fatalities every year. Around 99 percent of these cases are due to bites from infected dogs (= urban rabies). Prophylactic vaccination is therefore recommended before travel to rabies-risk countries. Before its eradication, the main form of rabies in Switzerland was silvatic rabies, with the red fox as its reservoir.

More about «The epidemiology of rabies»

Swiss Rabies Centre

Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI)
Swiss Rabies Centre (Monday to Friday)
Länggassstrasse 122
3001 Bern