Division 4 Analysis of samples

Analysis and serotyping shall take place at the National Reference Laboratory (NRL). In case that the NRL does not have the capacity to perform all analyses or if it is not the laboratory that performs detection routinely, the competent authorities may decide to designate a limited number of other laboratories involved in official control of Salmonella to perform the analyses. These laboratories should have proven experience of using the required detection method and have a quality assurance system complying with ISO standard 17025 and be submitted to the supervision of the NRL.

At the laboratory, samples shall be kept refrigerated until bacteriological examination, which shall be carried out within 24 hours after receipt and so that analysis is initiated no later than 96 hours after the sample was collected.

The muscle sample for serology shall be kept frozen until analysis, which shall be carried out immediately after thawing.