The World Reference Laboratory for Foot and Mouth Disease: a review of thirty-three years of activity (1958-1991).

The range of activities and contributions of the World Reference Laboratory for Foot and Mouth Disease in Pirbright, Surrey, United Kingdom, from 1958 to 1991 is reviewed. The countries for which a service has been provided, the number of samples submitted for investigation and the serotypes identified are recorded. Factors which have influenced the number of samples received are outlined. The developments and improvements made in the laboratory diagnosis of vesicular virus diseases over the thirty-three-year period are described.