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Guidance

Listed diseases in animals: case definitions, testing and reporting

Guidance for private laboratories, organisations and individuals who test or examine animals for listed diseases.

Updates to this page

From:
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Animal and Plant Health Agency
Published:
28 April 2023
Last updated:
24 March 2025
Show all updates

  1. Guidance has been updated following the confirmation of influenza of avian origin in a sheep.

  2. Case definitions and diagnostic criteria guidance: 1. Updated case definitions 1 and 2. 2. Added case definition 3 for ungulates including dairy cattle. 3. Added contact with a dairy farm and raw milk to the information to give when reporting non-negative tests. Diagnostic testing, controls and reporting obligations guidance: 1. Updated information laboratories should provide when considering official laboratory designation. 2. Clarified that potential wildlife crimes should be reported to police.

  3. Guidance updated to reflect legislative amendments to The Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (England) (No.2) Order 2006 made by The Exotic Disease (Amendment) (England) Order 2023, and to The Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (Scotland) Order 2006 by The Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (Scotland) Amendment Order 2023.

  4. First published.

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

Documents

Avian influenza and influenza of avian origin: diagnostic testing, controls and reporting obligations

Ref: PH 14794

HTML

Influenza A (H5N1) infection in mammals: suspect case definition and diagnostic testing criteria

Ref: PH 14795

HTML

Reportable diseases: immediate reporting requirements for diagnostic laboratories

HTML

Reportable diseases: monthly reporting requirements for diagnostic laboratories

HTML

Monthly reporting template

ODS, 14.4 KB

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Details

These documents include:

  • who can handle or test samples for listed diseases
  • criteria for testing
  • laboratory biosafety and containment requirements
  • how to report for listed diseases

For information on listed disease not covered in these documents, read the collection of guides to notifiable diseases in animals.

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