Diagnosis
The role of the National Reference Laboratory is to carry out isolation (from clinical and environmental samples), molecular diagnosis (PCR) and serological diagnosis in humans (ELISA anti-PA, upon request only).
Expertise
Sciensano has the necessary permits and premises in order to cultivate anthrax under safe conditions. Our experts have the necessary experience for the isolation and identification of Bacillus anthracis from suspect clinical samples (sputum, blood, organs) or environmental samples (dust, wastewater, sewage sludge).
Epidemiological surveillance in humans
The role of our Epidemiology of infectious diseases service is:
- to describe the epidemiology of anthrax in Belgium (in terms of age, sex, geographical location and probable country of infection)
- to follow-up trends over time
- and to identify possible risk factors.
The data are collected by the National Reference Laboratory at Sciensano.
The results are presented in an annual report, see the ‘Other publications’ section below.