FAO reference expert
Dr. Brad Pickering,
Head, Special Pathogens Unit
bradley.pickering@inspection.gc.ca
The National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease (NCFAD) in Winnipeg was designated as a Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Reference Centre for zoonotic and emerging pathogens in 2022.
Mandate
To provide laboratory support and services to the FAO or FAO member nations, on emerging and re-emerging zoonotic diseases.
Activities and services
- Provide technical support and coordinate proficiency testing in support of FAO activities
- Actively contribute to training and consultations with National Veterinary laboratories (NVL)
- Undergo technical studies and other activities that will support diagnostic improvements in emerging and re-emerging zoonotic diseases to NVLs
- Undergo technical studies and other activities that will support diagnostic improvements in emerging and re-emerging zoonotic diseases to NVLs as jointly decided upon with FAO
- In response to a request by FAO, perform technology transfer of standardized methods, associated information and reagents (if available from own production) for diagnosis of emerging and re-emerging zoonotic diseases to improve the capacity and harmonisation of NVL services
- Provide technical expert services (consultation, meetings) to FAO, of at least ten person days per year, without charge
- Perform applied and academic research and collaborate with the scientific community in the areas of emerging and re-emerging zoonotic diseases
Current research interests
- Developing a field deployable point-of-need diagnostic testing platform
- Pathogenesis studies of high-consequence pathogens
- Evaluating countermeasures against high-consequence pathogens
More information
- Situation updates in animal health [fao.org]
- CFIA reference laboratories and collaborating centres
- FAO Reference Centres [fao.org]
Selected publications
- A survey of henipavirus tropism—our current understanding from a species/organ and cellular Level
- Editorial: new-generation vaccines and novel vaccinal strategies against infectious diseases of livestock, wild and companion animals
- Henipavirus zoonosis: outbreaks, animal hosts and potential new emergence
- Development and laboratory evaluation of a competitive ELISA for serodiagnosis of Nipah and Hendra virus infection using recombinant Nipah glycoproteins and a monoclonal antibody
- Strengthening a One Health approach to emerging zoonoses