The laboratory conducts significant research, reference, expert appraisal and epidemiological surveillance activities. The research component of the laboratory's work is carried out in collaboration with other organisations and has been approved by the Ministry of Research for the joint research units (UMRs) and contracted units (USCs). A joint technology unit (UMT) has also been set up between ANSES and the French Horse and Riding Institute (IFCE). The laboratory belongs to the communities of universities and establishments of eastern Paris (COMUE) and of Normandy. It hosts and provides training for interns and students, both French and foreign of any nationality. It has been a member of the Paris Saclay Animal Sciences (SAPS) network since 2015.

The Laboratory for Animal Health focuses its research work on four main themes:

• management of major animal epidemics such as foot-and-mouth disease, bluetongue, etc.;
• bacterial, viral and parasitic zoonoses (animal diseases whose pathogens are transmissible to humans) such as bovine tuberculosis, toxoplasmosis, etc.;
• emerging multi-species infectious animal diseases, particularly vector-borne diseases and opportunistic fungal infections;
• persistent and/or emerging infections of major importance in the equine sector.

The laboratory draws on its full range of skills to provide decision support to health authorities: it develops faster and more reliable tools for detecting and characterising pathogens in domestic and wild animals, as well as new typing methods. It also analyses host-pathogen relations in order to establish new animal disease prevention strategies, including vaccines.

The laboratory provides analytical services to health authorities and animal health professionals concerning samples of animal origin, for the animal diseases for which it holds national and international reference mandates. It holds 36 reference mandates, and performs more than 30,000 diagnostic tests each year.

It monitors the emergence of the animal epidemics within its remit in order to prevent their spread, analyse their causes and assess the related risks. In this regard, it is tasked with issuing alerts for "foot-and-mouth disease and similar vesicular diseases" and coordinates the Resumeq equine mortality surveillance network.

Sustainable development

The Laboratory for Animal Health is actively involved in the implementation of various sustainable development initiatives. Carried out in conjunction with ANSES's sustainable development unit, these include reductions in the consumption of disposable materials (plastic), in the carbon/greenhouse gas footprint, in air travel where possible, and in emails, as well as a collective approach to energy saving.

To know more about the Laboratory

>> See the leaflet (PDF)

The Laboratory for Animal Health comprises ten units:

ANSES units

• Bacterial Zoonoses (UZB)
• Pathophysiology and Epidemiology of Equine Diseases (PhEED, Normandy site)
• Epidemiology (EPI)

Joint research units (UMRs)

• Virology: ANSES-INRAE-ENVA
• Parasitic Biology and Immunology (BIPAR): ANSES- INRAE-ENVA

Contracted units (USCs)

• Epidemiology of infectious animal diseases (EPIMAI): ENVA
• Vector transmission and epidemiological surveillance of parasitic diseases (VECPAR): University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne
• Epidemiology of toxoplasmosis (EPITOXO): University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne
• Dynamyc mycology (DYNAMYC): University of Paris-Est Créteil

Joint Technology Unit

• Equine health and welfare – sector organisation and traceability (SABOT): IFCE