Division 6 Selection and transportation of samples

An aliquot of field material should be sent to one of the laboratories listed in Part A of Annex XI. However, where such samples are not available or not suitable for transport, animal passage material, obtained from the same host species, or low passage cell culture material is acceptable.

The history of animal or cell passage material should be provided.

Samples for vesicular virus diagnosis can be transported at 4 °C if the anticipated transport time to the recipient laboratory is less than 24 hours.

For oesophageal-pharyngeal (probang) samples, transportation above solid carbon dioxide or liquid nitrogen is recommended, especially if delays at airports cannot be excluded.

Special precautions are required for the safe packaging of material from suspect cases of foot-and-mouth disease both within and between countries. These regulations are mainly designed to prevent breakage or leakage of containers and the risk of contamination, but are also important to ensure that specimens arrive in a satisfactory state. Ice-packs are preferred to wet ice to prevent the possibility of escape of water from the package.

Prior notice of arrival, and agreement for receipt, must be arranged with the receiving laboratory before despatch of samples.

Compliance with the import and export regulations of the Member States involved must be ensured.