Delays to Export Testing between 6-16 June 2008

Between the afternoon of the 6th of June and the morning of the 16th of June 2008, the Investigation and Diagnostic Centre's (IDC) high containment laboratory will be out of action for essential maintenance. During this time baffles are to be installed on all air handling systems to allow fumigation of air handling filters. This is the first time the lab will be unavailable for an extended period in the 8 or so years that it has been in operation.

Because certain tests require access to specialist equipment or live control organisms, some testing will have to be deferred during this period. This has potential to impact on animal trade, as testing will not be able to start until the lab is up and running again.

The following tests, used for international trade, will not be able to be performed during this time. It is possible that alternative tests may be able to be carried out for some import/export protocols. Please contact the team managers listed below for further information or to arrange alternatives.

Virology (contact Susan Cork or Clive Pigott)

• Equine semen screening for EVA (requires use of the ultra-centrifuge in PC3)
• Avian influenza H3 and H7 antigen HI serum screening test
• IBD VNT serology
• Akabane VNT serology

Immunology (contact Clive Pigott)

• Leptospirosis MAT serology

Bacterology (contact Wendy McDonald)

• CEM (Taylorella) culture

It is also possible that turnaround times for other tests may also be delayed (probably by 1-2 days).

IDC: Tel: 04 894 5600