National Reference Centre for Diagnostics and Therapy of Human Parasitoses (NZP)

The National Reference Centre for Diagnostics and Therapy of Human Parasitoses (NZP) provides reference diagnostics for malaria and confirmatory diagnostics for other non-endemic parasitic diseases on behalf of the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) as part of the surveillance concept for notifiable infectious diseases.

The surveillance of malaria infections in Switzerland makes it possible to assess the epidemiological situation and provide adequate prophylaxis and treatment.

Specific surveillance of other non-endemic parasitic diseases is also a task of the NZP in order to detect diseases caused by such pathogens, provide adequate prophylaxis and treatment and prevent possible nationwide spread.

The NZP deals with all aspects of malaria diagnosis, acts as a reference laboratory for malaria and is actively involved in the development and evaluation of tests for malaria and other imported parasitoses. The NZP also advises and supports doctors and hospitals in the treatment of malaria patients.

The NZP offers malaria emergency diagnostics and a 24-hour hotline for suspected malaria cases and emergencies and can provide expert advice based on its decades of experience in diagnostics and research in this field.

Together with the Centre for Tropical and Travel Medicine at Swiss TPH, the Diagnostic Centre fulfils the tasks of the NZP.