International virus library network

To fight and contain viral infections, it is necessary to elucidate viral mechanisms of action and researchers require access to specific viral strains. Under the aegis of the EVA (European Virus Archive) project, project partners successfully set up a large network of recognised centres to safely store viruses.

EVA developed high-quality safety procedures for handling virus collections and ensured quality through best practice guidelines and audits. Their resources are being used to support virus amplification and sustainable long-term storage. Already, around 50 % of the 500 recognised human pathogens are included in this collection.

The EVA web-based catalogue is functional, user friendly, and provides access to database products that are increasing continuously as the number of contributing laboratories increases. High quality control standards are maintained when shipping viruses and their derivative products such as gene segments.

EVA integrated the World Health Organization Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (WHO/GOARN) for the control of viral disease in developing countries. They will supply access to highly pathogenic biosafety level-4 viruses for the European Research Infrastructure on Highly Pathogenic Agents (ERINHA). These include Ebola and Lassa fever viruses. EVA also established links with the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) as several veterinary institutions also joined this network.

The dedicated project website highlights the latest news on viral outbreaks, particularly when a virus has emerged in a new geographical location.

One relevant example is the chikungunya virus that was found in St Martin in the Caribbean in 2013. This virus was previously only found in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Besides the phylogeny of the virus, EVA is supplying strains of the virus for research, including the new isolate.

From a consortium of 9 European partners, EVA now has around 20 associated partners in Africa, Australia, China, Europe, Russia and the United States. EVA has become a unique global non-profit bio-resource that caters to both research and academia. Laboratories in developing countries can now access high-calibre facilities and contribute to the expanding pool of viruses and reagents. This should help us deal more effectively with the threat of viral infections.