Laboratory testing in Ireland - Test area

The text in this section is taken from the The Management of Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers in Ireland, Draft for Consultation, November 2011. Click here to see the full document and details of how to submit your feedback.

In Ireland, diagnosis of VHF will be made primarily by viral genome detection using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and, secondly, by the demonstration of IgM antibody. It is intended that all VHF diagnostic tests will be carried out in the BioSafety Level 3 facility at the National Virus Reference Laboratory (NVRL), Dublin. No attempts will be made at virus isolation of Group 4 agents such as Ebola and Marburg since this should only be performed in a BioSafety Level 4 laboratory. No such laboratory is operational in Ireland. Supplementary molecular and serological investigations are performed at the Special Pathogens Reference Unit (SPRU) located at HPA Porton, Salisbury, UK.

Testing is only carried out with prior consultation with the NVRL. NVRL will provide advice on the packaging and transfer of specimens. See links below to the NVRL website:

• VHF request form
• On call contact details

Last updated: 04 November 2011