Department of Virology

Head of Virology Department

Asc. Prof.
Ivailo Alexiev, PhD

 

Department History:

Department "Virusology" was founded in 1958 on the basis of the first virological unit for smallpox and rabies in Bulgaria, created also in 1881. Since 2024, the Department of "Virusology" is headed by Asc. Prof. Ivailo Alexiev, PhD.

The following national reference virology laboratories are currently operating in the Department:

The department is accredited according to the standard БДС EN ISO/IEC 17025 in connection with the diagnosis of viral infections by certain methods.

Habilitated employees and other specialists in the Department have multivalent functions, in addition to the main diagnostic activity, they develop current scientific problems, participate in educational - the teaching, organizational-methodical and anti-epidemic activities of the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The department has highly qualified and trained teachers on the problems of viral infections and their laboratory diagnostics. The educational and teaching activity is directed in two main directions - post-graduate training of specialists - doctors and biologists to acquire the clinical specialty of Virology, and training of doctoral students, masters and bachelors in virology.

External assessment of the quality of virological laboratories:

Laboratory of Virology and the separate sectors to it in the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention, carries out an external assessment of the quality of work in the virology laboratories on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria. The external evaluation is carried out twice a year in compliance with the order of the Minister of Health No. RD 09-415/04.06.2001 and in accordance with the Medical Standard "Virusology"-Ordinance No. 5/10.12.2013