Veterinary laboratory testing protocols for priority zoonotic diseases in Africa

Animal health laboratories play a crucial role in veterinary disease diagnosis and surveillance for the prevention and control of transboundary animal diseases, including those of economic impact or zoonotic threat with potential pandemic risk. Enhancing the diagnostic capacity of laboratories is an essential pillar for generating accurate data, particularly in settings where fundamental gaps and capacity constraints may prevent the early, rapid and reliable detection of many animal diseases. Importantly, the constant evolution of pathogens coupled with the rise of technology and assay development calls for ongoing guidance on current protocols and techniques. This is also particularly essential to ensure the use of carefully developed and validated tests.This compendium of protocols aims to contribute to capacity building efforts for sustainable and reliable functioning of animal health laboratories in Member States. It provides a practical and pragmatic resource for novel or updated validated diagnostic techniques to be introduced in accordance with a sustainable quality management system to ensure specific, accurate and reproducible results. The selected diseases included in this document are the most common priority zoonotic diseases (PZDs) identified in Africa. For each selected disease, the diagnostic protocols are explained focusing on assays that have been tested and validated by references laboratories to ensure their fitness for purpose.Laboratories around the world may use this compendium of protocols as guidance to update, enhance or expand their diagnostic assays.