Salmonella sp. isolates from animal samples have, until recently, been routinely referred to the enteric reference laboratory at the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) for serotyping and phage typing. This service has been funded by the Ministry of Health and was free of charge.
As of 1 November 2019, the Ministry of Health has withdrawn funding for typing Salmonella from sick animals. Consequently ESR are no longer able to perform Salmonella typing free of charge. Phage typing is also no longer available, but serotyping and whole genome sequence-based subtyping are. The cost for testing is now as follows:
Serotyping: $240.00 + GST
Genome sequencing: $606.00 +GST
Salmonella isolates will be now just be reported as Salmonella spp.
All Salmonella isolates will be retained by your local laboratory for one month, so please contact us if you would like to discuss further testing on your isolates. We are currently investigating alternative typing options.