Commission Decision 2002/106/EC approving a Diagnostic Manual establishing diagnostic procedures, sampling methods and criteria for evaluation of the laboratory tests for the confirmation of classical swine fever.

It is hereby approved a manual which establishes diagnostic procedures, sampling methods and criteria to be followed for evaluation of the laboratory tests for the confirmation of classical swine fever. Member States shall ensure that the confirmation of classical swine fever is based on: (a) the detection of clinical signs and post-mortem lesions of disease; (b) the detection of virus, antigen or genome in samples of pig tissues, organs, blood or excreta; (c) the demonstration of a specific antibody response in blood samples, in accordance with the manual annexed to this Decision. The manual consists of the following nine Chapters: (I) Introduction, objectives and definitions; (II) Description of classical swine fever with emphasis on differential diagnosis; (III) Guidelines on main criteria to be considered for the recognition of a holding as a classical swine fever suspected holding; (IV) Checking and sampling procedures; (V) General procedures and criteria for collection and transport of samples; (VI) Principles and use of virological tests and evaluation of their results; (VII) Principles and use of serologica; tests and evaluation of their results; (VIII) Discriminatory tests in case of emergency vaccination; (IX) Minimum safety requirements for classical swine fever laboratories.