Animal Immunodiagnostic Services

Immunodiagnostics Unit (IDU)

The unit undertakes a wide programme of mainly statutory work in the area of animal disease. This is done in support of trade guarantees, food safety and animal disease control, on behalf of DAERA. One of the key roles of the unit is the provision of laboratory testing in response to local and national emergencies involving the outbreaks of major epizootic diseases. IDU comprises three main workareas Mammalian and Avian Serology, Brucellosis screening (Cattle) and TSE screening, with the majority of test methods accredited to ISO17025:2017.

Mammalian & Avian Serology

This work includes serological testing in support of DAERA’s surveillance programmes for exotic diseases such as Enzootic Bovine Leucosis (EBL), Bluetongue Virus (BTV) and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). The lab also carries out Equine and Avian viral serology, and mycoplasma serology testing required for the supporting trade guarantees, providing evidence of disease freedom and preventing disease incursions into
Northern Ireland. In addition the lab offers a commercial antibody screening service, with an increasing portfolio of tests available.

Please view the Current Test Availability and Pricing.

Brucellosis Screening

The Brucella Unit provides statutory surveillance and testing programmes designed to demonstrate on going freedom from brucellosis in Northern Ireland.  The unit analyses large numbers of blood and milk samples taken from farms, dairies and abattoirs, within short turnaround times. 

TSE Screening

The TSE lab at AFBI Stormont carries out statutory testing on behalf of DAERA to ensure the prevention, control and eradication of TSE diseases in cattle, sheep and goats. High throughput rapid screening, and confirmatory tests on tissue samples submitted by abattoirs and rendering plants in Northern Ireland ensures food safety standards are met as well as maintaining global meat trade agreements.

Contacts

Immunodiagnostics Branch, 
Agri-Food & Biosciences Institute,
Veterinary Sciences Division,
Stoney Road, Stormont,
Belfast BT4 3SD

For Laboratory Enquires (Mon-Fri 09:00 - 17:00)