National and international viral reagents programs.

Reagents for research on virus diseases of persons and animals have been produced through the effort of government, international agencies, and the private sector. These reagents are essential in the development and the evaluation of new technology which in turn finds application in the detection and the prevention of disease. Ideally, viral reagents consisting of purified seed virus or viral antigen(s) and corresponding antisera should be independently certified for purity, specificity, and potency.