Reference Laboratories

Our Reference Laboratories are specialist labs designated to provide expert advice, testing, and data on specific viral diseases.

They play a crucial role in identifying, monitoring, and controlling viruses that can spread rapidly, threatening food security, economies, and animal and human health.

Reference Laboratories provide sophisticated data on the strains of viruses causing disease, supporting vaccine selection, and guiding national and global disease control measures.

Reference Laboratories are designated by national and international bodies like the UK Government (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)), World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). To achieve this status, they must demonstrate advanced diagnostic capabilities, highly trained staff, and a track record of providing reliable data and guidance on disease control.

In addition to supporting disease surveillance, Pirbright’s Reference Laboratories also perform commercial services, such as evaluating diagnostic kits and testing disinfectants.

Pirbright’s Reference Laboratories

At Pirbright, we have 10 Reference Laboratories for viral diseases of livestock that receive samples from all over the world:

African horse sickness

WOAH Reference Laboratory
National Reference Laboratory for Defra

African swine fever

WOAH Reference Laboratory
National Reference Laboratory for Defra

Bluetongue

WOAH Reference Laboratory
National Reference Laboratory for Defra

Foot-and-mouth disease

FAO Reference Laboratory (designated the World Reference Laboratory for Foot-and-Mouth Disease)
WOAH Reference Laboratory
National Reference Laboratory for Defra