Division 3

Quality control on sensitivity and specificity of each batch of ELISA reagents must be regularly performed by the F1the National Reference Laboratory, making use of a panel of reference sera This panel shall include:

• sera from pigs in the early phase of ASF virus infection (less than 17 days post infection),

• sera from convalescent pigs (more than 17 days post infection).

The ELISA to be used for the serological diagnosis of ASF must detect all reference sera from the convalescent pigs. All results obtained with the reference sera must be reproducible. It is recommended all positive sera from the early phase are also detected. The results obtained with the reference sera from pigs in the early phase of infection give an indication of the sensitivity of the ELISA.