eRNA Validation for Environmental Screening for Avian Influenza Viruses

This project is to provide the services required to develop and validate Avian Influenza Viruses (AIV) environmental Ribonucleic Acid RNA (eRNA) testing and, to produce a standardised sampling, testing and reporting framework for its implementation in New Zealand. Avian Influenza (AI) is a zoonotic disease caused by AIV. To enable MPI Animal Health Laboratory (AHL) to implement eRNA testing and produce consistent and comparable AIV surveillance data across New Zealand, this procurement is for the services to: • Collect appropriate and adequate samples from bird habitat environments in New Zealand • Develop, optimise, validate, and assess the eRNA sampling and testing methods under the New Zealand conditions. • Produce a standardised eRNA sampling, testing and reporting framework, including a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for its adoption by AHL.