The Federal Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI) is Switzerland’s reference laboratory for the diagnosis and research of highly infectious and other important epizootic diseases, including viral zoonoses (infectious diseases that are transmissible between animals and humans). As part of a cooperation agreement with the Vetsuisse faculty of the University of Bern since 2014, the IVI is also responsible for teaching in virology and immunology at the faculty. The IVI has two locations, Bern and Mittelhäusern (organisation). In Mittelhäusern, we have a high-security laboratory for work with highly contagious animal diseases (up to risk level 4) and zoonotic pathogens (up to risk level 3), and in Bern for work with pathogens up to risk level 2.
