♦ 18 October 2017 ♦ [Relayed from www.who.int] “On 18 October 2017, the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization approved all of the recommendations proposed by the SAGE working group on rabies, as an update to the current WHO position paper on rabies immunization based on new evidence and experience in programme implementation. SAGE guides progress on global strategies and policies regarding vaccine-preventable diseases. A SAGE rabies working group was established in July 2016 to review new evidence that would merit updating of the 2010 WHO position paper on rabies vaccines. The working group conducted systematic reviews of published and unpublished literature, and assembled data and programme experience from countries to review options for pre-exposure and post-exposure immunization". […] (Read full article on www.who.int…)  

♦ 25-26 September 2017 ♦ [Relayed from www.rr-africa.oie.int] On September 25 and 26, 2017, the OIE Sub-Regional Representation for North Africa organised a “Workshop on the Rabies National Control Programme of the Tunisian Ministry of Agriculture: feedback from the field, state of play and ways of improvement", held in Tunis, Tunisia, in collaboration with the Tunisian Veterinary Services (Directorate-General of Veterinary Services). The workshop, funded by the European Union, represented by the European Commission and the European Parliament, as part of the project to Strengthen Veterinary Services in Developing Countries (SVSDC), was aimed at the decentralised offices of the Ministry of Agriculture involved in the fight against rabies. […] (Read full article on rr-africa.oie.int…)  

♦ 02 October 2017 ♦ Further to the call for registration for the inter-laboratory test for tetracycline determination 2017, 13 NRLs volunteered to perform the test. The samples were sent to participants on 2 October 2017 under dry ice. Each panel is composed of several positive or negative red fox jaws for tetracycline, an acknowledgment form and a result form. The acknowledgement and result forms are expected back to the EURL by 30 October 2017 at the latest. As usual, a technical questionnaire related to the technique used has to be online answered.  

♦ 28 September 2017 ♦ The 9th workshop for rabies was held on 13 and 14 June 2017 in Budapest, Hungary. The annual rabies European Union Reference Laboratory (EURL) meeting gathered a total of 89 participants, among them 38 from the European Union Member States (EUMS), 11 from European Union bordering countries supported by TAIEX and 30 from other laboratories from all over the world. The report of this meeting has been sent on 28 September to all participants and is now available online, as well as the presentations, in the private part of the website (for NRL members only).  

EFSA has organised a meeting with its stakeholders to gather feedback on the draft scientific opinion “Listeria monocytogenes contamination of ready-to-eat (RTE) foods and the risk for human health in the EU”. Speakers’ presentations had covered: The potential health effects associated with L. monocytogenes and the relation between doses and illness in different risk groups; The exposure to L. monocytogenes by consumption of RTE foods; and The trends of human listeriosis cases in the EU with potential explanatory factors. Reminder: The draft scientific opinion for public consultation until 29 September 2017.

♦ 28 September 2017 ♦ Do not forget: Word Rabies Day on 28 September! https://rabiesalliance.org/world-rabies-day  

♦ 12 September 2017 ♦ The report of the 2017 session has been sent to all participants this week. The content also includes the answers to the technical questionnaire and a reminder of the EURL recommendations. This year, FAT, RTCIT and RT-PCR techniques were evaluated. Additionaly, an evaluation was done on the “overall assessment” of the laboratories. As done last year, two random samples were included to avoid collusion. These samples have not been taken into account in the evaluation process. Global evaluation shows again a good performance level. Participant laboratories will receive an online satisfaction survey regarding the test send directly from our quality department, as well as the usual attestation with summary of performances. The report is published on the EURL website for private members only.  

♦ 12 September 2017 ♦ A call for registration for the inter-laboratory test for tetracycline determination 2017 was sent in early September to National Reference Laboratory from European and bordering countries. Registration ends on 15 September. Each panel contains 6 half-jaws, including the canine, positive or negative jaws for tetracycline. The samples have to be cut and analysed by the laboratories who are then asked to provide the positive or negative status regarding tetracycline for each sample as well as the age category (Adult or Juvenile). An online technical questionnaire is also part of the test. Results are expected to be returned by 30 October 2017. A report on this trial should be issue beginning of year 2018.  

♦ 11 September 2017 ♦ The results for the 2017 session of the inter-laboratory test for rabies serology have now all been received by the EURL for rabies serology. A total of 81 laboratories participated this year. Results and report will be communicated to the participating laboratories, as well as the European Commission and relevant authorities where necessary. This test is compulsory for the purposes of laboratories authorisations to carry out the serological tests to monitor the effectiveness of the anti-rabies vaccination. More information on https://ec.europa.eu/food/animals/pet-movement/approved-labs_en  

♦ 27 August 2017 ♦ [Relayed from ec.europa.eu] “EU official control rules are a key element of the governance of the agri-food chain in Europe, which are recognised world-wide as an example of best practice. Those rules provide national enforcers and the Commission with the necessary powers to ensure effective enforcement of regulatory requirements, and with mechanisms that allow the full cooperation of all parties involved in ensuring the correct application of the law across national borders. The Official Controls Regulation also provides the Commission with audit and control powers in the Member States and Third Countries, and with the power to take action at EU level. The Official Controls Regulation (EU) 2017/625 addresses official controls and other official activities performed to ensure the application of food and feed law, rules on animal health and welfare, plant health and plant protection products (Official Controls Regulation - OCR). The new rules replace Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 on official controls and other legislation which currently governs the control and enforcement of rules along the agri-food chain.” New regulation is available here and on the eur-lex.europa.eu website.