As a National reference laboratory, CIRMF has the following roles: diagnosis of suspected cases during outbreaks of viral hemorrhagic fevers or severe clinical infectious syndromes; development of new methods for diagnosing such infections; surveillance of animal fatalities in reservoir or intermediate hosts; and intervention during outbreaks of unknown etiology. CIRMF diagnosed infections of more than 70 pathogens that could not be identified in other biology laboratories throughout the country. CIRMF maintains close ties to several components of the National Healthcare system, such as Amissa Bongo Regional Hospital in Franceville or the Sino-Gabonese Friendship Hospital.