The COVID-19 pandemic is creating unprecedented pressure on Public Health services worldwide. A multidisciplinary collaborative (‘whole-of-society’) approach is required to minimise the impact of this rapidly spreading virus. Veterinary Services can support Public Health services to meet the extraordinary surge in demand for diagnostic testing of human samples for SARS-CoV-2 by making available appropriately equipped and competent veterinary laboratories. In some countries human laboratory diagnostic services are at maximum capacity and, as an alternative, veterinary laboratories are being asked to provide support. Veterinary laboratories are well-positioned because they have experience in quality assurance, biosafety and biosecurity, and high throughput testing for the surveillance and control of infectious diseases in animals, some of which are zoonotic. Additionally, Veterinary Services can provide expertise in the fields of epidemiology, risk assessment, training and risk communication. Testing of human specimens in veterinary laboratories should be part of a coordinated government-led Public Health response and laboratories performing COVID-19 diagnostics should ensure they comply with regulations regarding the laboratory testing of human specimens.
Guidance
