Emerging Viral Diseases-Expert Laboratory Network (EVD-LabNet)

Aim and scope of the network

EVD-LabNet is a multi-disciplinary network of expert laboratories. Its aim is to strengthen Europe’s laboratory capacity and capability to respond to emerging, re-emerging and vector-borne viral disease threats.

The network laboratories are located in the EU/EEA and EU candidate countries. These laboratories have a strong basic and/or translation research competence in virology and human (reference) diagnostics and/or experience in diagnostic test development for viral pathogens.

The network is not currently accepting additional members but expressions of interest can be sent to EVD-LabNet secretariat. A list of EVD-LabNet laboratories is available.

Although EVD-LabNet has a strong focus on public health, the network embraces a One Health approach and has established strong links with the animal health sector in particular. EVD-LabNet also has connections to other European emerging infectious disease preparedness and response networks and activities.

EVD-LabNet directory

Target viruses

The network covers viruses significant to public health from the following genera (families):

• Alphavirus (Togaviridae)
• Coltivirus (Reoviridae)
• Ebolavirus (Filoviridae)
• Flavivirus (Flaviviridae)
• Henipavirus (Paramyxoviridae)
• Lyssavirus (Rhabdoviridae)
• Mammarenavirus (Arenaviridae)
• Marburgvirus (Filoviridae)
• Orbivirus (Reoviridae)
• Orthobornavirus (Bornaviridae)
• Orthobunyavirus (Peribunyaviridae)
• Orthohantavirus (Hantaviridae)
• Orthonairovirus (Nairoviridae)
• Orthorubulavirus (Paramyxoviridae)
• Orthopoxvirus (Poxviridae)
• Parapoxvirus (Poxviridae)
• Phlebovirus (Phenuiviridae)
• Thogotovirus (Orthomyxoviridae)
• Respirovirus (Paramyxoviridae)
• Vesiculovirus (Rhabdoviridae).

Objectives

EVD-LabNet supports clinical diagnostics, surveillance, threat assessments and outbreak preparedness and response by providing essential background information on target viruses, with a focus on:

• scientific expertise concerning the viruses, their make-up, pathogenesis, physicochemical properties, and patient- and population-oriented detection/ruling out of infection;
• (reference) diagnostics;
• state-of-the-art European diagnostic portfolio, diagnostic capacity and capability;
• molecular detection and characterisation support for response and surveillance activities;
• training courses, workshops and webinars for virologists (selected training/webinars will be open to public health epidemiologists);
• twinning activities (transnational education);
• annual meetings to strengthen the coherence of the network and provide a platform to exchange knowledge

Most activities are restricted to network members but some will be open to non-network members. Check the list of activities below and register for the newsletter to be informed.

Newsletter