Diagnosis
The KVI is open to receive materials all hours of all days throughout the year. Important contacts regarding diagnosis are as follows:-
Director of the KVI - Tel: +972-3968-1682 Fax: +972- 3960-5293 E-mail: dir_kimron@moag.gov.il
Details on submission of materials - Tel: 03 - 9681630 Fax: 03- 9681721
After hours submission - Tel: 0572-2237-06 (7/24)
Research
The staff of KVI has a keen interest in veterinary research, particularly of an applicative nature. Many cooperative research projects are conducted with other countries, and new projects are being sought to improve animal health, prevent diseases and ensure wholesomeness of animal food products. Current research being instigated and research interests can be viewed in details on the Departmental pages.
General
The KVI was established during the British Mandate as a diagnostic laboratory and in 1957 moved to its present site. The KVI is academically affiliated with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and is in close proximity to the Field Hospital of the Koret School of Veterinary Medicine on the Bet Dagan campus.
The KVI comprises 18 laboratories, 17 of which are located at Bet Dagan, and one satellite diagnostic laboratory in northern Israel. The laboratories are organized into 5 divisions, which share common resources of staff, equipment and space. About 5,000 necropsies and 660,000 laboratory examinations are performed annually. Five of the KVI labs are also National Reference Laboratories: rabies, botulism, brucellosis, food residues, and mastitis and milk quality.
Other notable public health responsibilities of the KVI are the inspection of imported and exported food products of animal origin for freedom from potentially pathogenic micro-organisms and for chemical and drug residues.
KVI laboratories engage in research projects that mostly address current veterinary problems in Israel. About 100 projects are conducted each year, with a total annual budget of about US $2.5 million. Strong scientific contacts have been established with various research institutes abroad, including the U.S.A. and Germany and more recently with Egypt, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority and with the former U.S.S.R. Asian Republics.
The production of vaccines developed by the KVI is mostly performed by private companies. Hemoparasite vaccines and emergency vaccine production is still carried out at the KVI.
The academic staff comprises 92 scientists and laboratory technicians in tenured positions. In addition, 35 scientists including newcomers mainly from the former U.S.S.R., are employed under contract.
The close collaboration with veterinary clinicians and the knowledge and experience acquired by the VSAH have singularly contributed to improved surveillance and control of livestock diseases of importance to both medical and veterinary public health.