Notifiable animal diseases
Pursuant to Section 27 (Paragraph 3, Sentence 2, No. 1) of the Act on the Prevention and Control of Animal Diseases (Tiergesundheitsgesetz, TierGesG), the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI) acts as a national reference laboratory for the diseases it has been designated to cover.
According to the 'List of National Reference Laboratories at the Friedrich Loeffler Institute' (as at 4 March 2026), published by the BMLEH on TSIS, the FLI is currently designated for over 75 notifiable animal diseases. These laboratories are accredited by the German Accreditation Body GmbH (DAkkS) in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025. They investigate suspected cases, advise the veterinary authorities, and carry out interlaboratory tests and other measures to ensure the quality of animal disease diagnostics in Germany. As part of this work, the FLI publishes a collection of official procedures for sampling and testing for notifiable animal diseases, as well as the Annual Animal Health Report.
Reference Laboratories on the international level
On the international level, the FLI has been designated as "Collaborating Centre for Zoonoses in Europe" of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). Furthermore, it houses WOAH reference laboratories for
- Avian Influenza (Poultry)
- Avian and Ovine Chlamydiosis
- Bee diseases
- Bovine Herpesvirus Type 1 Infection
- Bovine Viral Diarrhea
- Brucellosis
- Glanders
- Koi Herpesvirus Disease,
- Newcastle Disease
- Rabies
A “Collaborating Centre for Rabies Surveillance and Research” of the World Health Organization (WHO) is also located at the FLI.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has designated the FLI as Reference Centre for Influenza in Animals, Newcastle Disease of Poultry, Classical Swine Fever and Rabies.