The Testing To Exclude scheme for West Nile fever has now changed, allowing Private Veterinary Surgeons (PVS) to submit West Nile fever (WNF) samples directly to Weybridge without calling APHA first.
The TTE scheme must still only be used when disease is very low on the differential list and not suspected, but the PVS would like to test to exclude completely. If WNF is considered a probable diagnosis or if another notifiable disease is suspected you must report this immediately to APHA by calling the numbers below.
As before for TTEs the PVS must agree to meet all costs associated with the collection, submission and carriage of samples to APHA Weybridge and all the laboratory test costs.
Official restrictions are not normally applied during a TTE but may be imposed if test results are positive, alongside an APHA field investigation. However, as horses are dead-end hosts for WNV, disease confirmation would not lead to euthanasia unless required on welfare grounds.
Testing for WNF is important for clinical diagnoses of individual animals but also for national surveillance purposes, highlighted by the first detection of West Nile Virus (WNV) in UK mosquitoes. Find out more.
For further information please go to Test to exclude West Nile Virus in Horses - GOV.UK
APHA helplines
• 03000 200 301 if you’re in England
• 03003 038 268 if you’re in Wales
• your local Field Services Office if you’re in Scotland
If disease is suspected after a discussion with the APHA duty vet, an official APHA investigation will be initiated.