The Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI) is the reference laboratory for the diagnosis, surveillance and control of selected farm animal diseases and highly contagious epizootics, such as foot-and-mouth disease or avian flu. The Swiss rabies centre, which carries out surveillance for cases of rabies, is also established within the IVI. In addition, the Institute investigates the development of new animal diseases and their potential for human transmission, and tests new vaccines and serums for animals prior to approval. The IVI is housed in two locations, Mittelhäusern and the Vetsuisse faculty of the University of Bern, and is affiliated to BVL – the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety.
The Institute regularly receives samples from suspected cases, on which it carries out tests to diagnose which particular diseases are present. A safe working environment is crucial and the legal requirements for the protection of humans, animals and the wider environment are very strict: viruses and other pathogens must, under no circumstances, leave the laboratory and enter the environment.
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