Establishment of the National Veterinary Reference Laboratory in Iraq
Dr. Majed Hamed Al Saegh / poultry pathologist / Australia
Introduction
Veterinary laboratories play a vital role in the prevention, diagnosis, surveillance, and control of animal diseases, including those of zoonotic nature. Iraq, as a country facing repeated outbreaks of transboundary and emerging diseases, lacks a centralised, internationally accredited veterinary reference laboratory. This absence weakens disease detection capabilities, delays emergency responses, and limits Iraq’s ability to participate in international trade based on sanitary certification. The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) defines reference laboratories as national centres of excellence in diagnostics, biosafety and biosecurity, quality assurance, training, and scientific research. Countries such as Australia (CSIRO-AAHL), Kenya (KEVEVAPI), and Tunisia (IRVT) have shown the value of investing in such institutions by enhancing national health security and regional leadership. The veterinary reference laboratory in Iraq must be established within a robust governance framework and fully aligned with international legislation and standards. Key frameworks include the WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code, ISO/IEC 17025 for quality assurance, WHO’s Laboratory Biosafety Manual, and national legislation relating to public health, animal health, biosecurity, and environmental protection. This proposal presents the rationale and structure for developing such a laboratory in Iraq, highlighting requirements, benefits, and an implementation roadmap.
- Executive Summary
This proposal aims to establish a National Veterinary Reference Laboratory (NVRL) in Iraq to support national efforts in controlling animal diseases, ensuring food safety, enhancing international trade, and improving public health through zoonotic disease surveillance. The laboratory will comply with international standards including WOAH (OIE) guidelines, WHO biosafety recommendations, and ISO/IEC 17025 quality requirements. Comparable models include the Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute (KEVEVAPI), the Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL), and the National Veterinary Research Institute in Tunisia (IRVT), all of which operate under similar principles.
- Requirements and Legislative Framework
Establishing a veterinary reference laboratory requires fulfilling various technical, infrastructural, legal, and human resource-related requirements.
Infrastructure and Facility Requirements: The laboratory must be purpose-built and include BSL-2 and BSL-3 biocontainment zones, with emergency power and water systems, secure access control, and waste treatment facilities. Core scientific departments should include virology, bacteriology, pathology, molecular biology, immunology, and epidemiology, all supported by Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) and digital data security.
Quality Assurance: A quality management system must be implemented in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025:2017, including standard operating procedures (SOPs), regular internal and external audits, equipment calibration, staff proficiency testing, and documentation of laboratory records.
Biosafety and Biosecurity: Biosafety protocols must follow WHO’s Laboratory Biosafety Manual (4th edition), while biosecurity measures must comply with WOAH standards under Chapter 1.1.4. The biorisk management framework must include personnel reliability, controlled access, dual-use research oversight, and emergency preparedness.
National and International Legislation: The laboratory must comply with national laws governing veterinary health, public health, and the environment, as well as international commitments under WOAH, WHO, and FAO. Iraq must establish legal frameworks allowing for the safe handling of pathogens, ethical use of animals (WOAH Chapter 7.8), and environmental compliance (ISO 14001). Legislative updates or new laws may be necessary to authorise national reference lab status and reporting mandates.
Human Resources and Training: A competent multidisciplinary team must be appointed, including veterinarians, microbiologists, molecular biologists, bioinformaticians, and biosafety officers. Continuous training should be ensured through partnerships with international reference laboratories under WOAH/FAO twinning programs or the PVS evaluation pathway.
- Objectives
Main Objective: To establish a nationally and regionally recognised veterinary reference laboratory in Iraq.
Specific Objectives:
- Provide accurate, reliable, and timely diagnostic services for priority animal diseases.
- Implement comprehensive biorisk management in line with WHO and WOAH guidelines.
- Achieve ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.
- Build and retain qualified laboratory personnel.
- Operate as a regional hub for knowledge and response to zoonotic and emerging diseases.
- Facilitate cooperation with international and regional laboratories.
- Scope of Services
- Conduct diagnostic testing for bacterial, viral, parasitic, and zoonotic diseases.
- Support surveillance of endemic and exotic diseases.
- Investigate outbreaks and respond to emergencies.
- Perform research, test validation, and proficiency testing.
- Offer training programs and continuous professional development.
