The FIWI at the University of Bern is the national reference center for wildlife diseases for the Swiss federal authorities of environment and of veterinary affairs. The FIWI has a long-lasting experience in both general and targeted health surveillance of free-ranging wildlife, as well as in research focusing on the patho-epidemiology of wildlife diseases and on interactions between wildlife and domestic livestock. The FIWI works with the support and in close collaboration with the Swiss authorities and with the regional hunting and veterinary offices, and benefits from a solid network of contacts with people in the field in the whole country. The FIWI has tested protocols for sample collection in various mammalian species, addressing questions such as the definition of epidemiological units for sampling strategies, the shipment of samples, and the archiving of collected materials.

Contact: Marie-Pierre.Ryser [a] vetsuisse.unibe.ch