♦ 05 September 2017 ♦ [Relayed from endrabiesnow.org website] The Partners for Rabies Prevention gathered at Wolfsberg, Switzerland on August 31st - September 1st, 2017 for their tenth annual meeting. The group comprised over 40 representatives from 27 organizations, reflecting a diverse range of stakeholders in rabies control, including International organizations, rabies experts, academics, vaccine manufacturers and Non-Governmental Organizations. Together, they endorsed the global goal of Zero human deaths from dog-transmitted rabies by 2030, and evaluated the progress, particularly related to health economics and universal capacity building tools developed in recent years. (Read more…)  

♦ 22 August 2017 ♦  Organisation of the veterinary laboratory diagnostic in Slovenia: National veterinary institute (NVI) is special Organization unit of Veterinary faculty at the University of Ljubljana. It operates as public institution of national interest. National reference laboratory for rabies is part of Unit for virology within NVI. The Unit for virology is located in specialized facilities for laboratory investigation of viral diseases. NVI performs the activities determined by the law on the veterinary service, on the basis of the concession contract signed between Slovene Veterinary Administration and NVI. Special systemization of NVI is approved by Veterinary Administration. NVI is only EU authorized laboratory for testing of blood samples in the frame of pets since 2005. Activities and services: - Monitoring of literature, legislations and development of rabies diagnostics and coordination of the diagnostic methods. - Processing of diagnostic samples. - Rabies diagnosis and antibody testing in wildlife and domestic animals. - Participation in the preparation of programs for oral vaccination of foxes against rabies. - Monitoring of the success of oral vaccination of foxes. - Characterization and genotyping of the rabies virus isolates. - Cooperation with veterinary authorities. - Research activity in the field of rabies.  - Collaboration with EURL for rabies and other UR reference centers. Diagnostic capabilities: - Fluorescent antibody test (FAT). - Rabies tissue culture isolation test (RTCIT). - Rabies virus in vaccine baits titration. - OTC determination. - Ages of foxes determination. - One step RT-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) specific for different Lyssavirus species. - One-step real-time RT-PCR (RTq-PCR). - Sanger nucleotide sequencing. - Next generation sequencing: Ion Torrent technology. Full article and graphs on the NRL presentation section.

EFSA has launched an open consultation on its draft scientific opinion on Listeria monocytogenes contamination of ready-to-eat (RTE) foods and the risk for human health in the EU. This document summarises and critically evaluates the most recent information on L. monocytogenes in RTE foods, and evaluates the factors related to the contamination in the food chain and the consumption patterns that may contribute to the reported trend of listeriosis incidence in the EU.   Links Public consultation page draft scientific opinion on Listeria monocytogenes contamination of ready-to-eat foods and the risk for human health in the EU EFSA reports linked to this draft opinion: Closing gaps for performing a risk assessment on Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat (RTE) foods: activity 1, an extensive literature search and study selection with data extraction on L. monocytogenes in a wide range of RTE food activity 2, a quantitative risk characterization on L. monocytogenes in RTE foods; starting from the retail stage activity 3, the comparison of isolates from different compartments along the food chain, and from humans using whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis

♦ 30 July 2017 ♦ We wish you a nice summer time! The next issue of your newsletter will be released mid-September. Enjoy your holidays!  

♦ 13-14 June 2017 ♦ The beautiful city of Budapest welcomed the participants of the annual meeting organized by the EURL for rabies on 13 and 14 June. This meeting is mainly dedicated to the National Reference Laboratories of the European Union, but a total of 81 scientists from Europe but also from all over the world met for two half days of very constructive exchanges on various rabies topic. Additionally to the usual participation of rabies laboratories, the European Commission delegated two representatives with thorough knowledge of rabies in Europe. The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) was also present, along with an FAO delegate and many officials from the National Food Chain Safety Office of Hungary (NEBIH). The scientific program covered a range of subjects divided into 3 sessions: Rabies updates and news, Laboratory Techniques for Rabies Diagnosis, and Techniques for Control of Oral Vaccination. Next workshop for rabies is planned for June 2018 in Brussels. Presentations can be found on the EURL website (private members only).  

♦ 30 July 2017 ♦ The results sent by the laboratories for each tested techniques are currently under analysis and the report will be release as usual at the end of the summer. A total of 48 laboratories participated this year to the test: 48 performed FAT, 30 RTCIT and 31 the conventional RT-PCR technique. As explained and discussed during 9th workshop for rabies, this year, for technical reasons, the Real Time RT-PCR technique will not be evaluated. From next year, the format of the inter laboratory test for rabies diagnosis will change in order to better follow the laboratories real work and needs.  

♦ 26 July 2017 ♦ The annual online activity questionnaire was submitted to all National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) early 2017 to collect and collate data on methods used and results of tests carried out in the Community in the frame of rabies control programmes (Commission regulations (EU) N° 737/2008 and N°415/2013). The report is available in the EURL for rabies website for private members only.  

♦ 14-15 June 2017 ♦ The meeting of the LRUE serology rabies followed directly the 9th workshop for rabies on 14 and 15 June and lasted one day and a half. This meeting is mainly dedicated to approved laboratories for the serology of pets as part of movements to and from the European Union. A total of 87 participants from all continents attended this meeting, as well as the international organizations already present during 9th workshop for rabies, the DGAL (French General Directorate for Food), the ANSES Quality Services Delegation and an ANSES-Fougères delegate. The agenda was divided into six sessions: Rabies serology proficiency test, ISO standards and statistics, EU serology regulation, Rabies serology for pets, Developments and methods in rabies serology, Rabies Serology for wildlife and Rabies serology and vaccines. All the conditions for success were gathered for both meetings: hotel and location, working environment, exceptional weather… Presentations can be found on the EURL website (private members only).  

♦ 30 July 2017 ♦ The annual rabies serology proficiency test is still ongoing. The last signed results must be sent before 31st July to Anses-Nancy. A total of 78 laboratories from all continents participated: 46 from Europe, 12 from América, 12 from Asia, 7 from Africa and 1 from Oceania. The report will be released before 31st October, as requested by the European Commission, in the new electronical format, as described in the Proficiency test for rabies serology Information sheet and the guideline.  

♦ 30 May 2017 ♦ [Relayed from www.anses.fr] “The ANSES newsletter contains all the Agency's latest information updates, upcoming events and recent publications, so that readers can stay up-to-date on all the current news. Subscription is free of charge and may be cancelled at any time. Subscribers will receive the newsletter by e-mail.” Follow this link to suscribe to the newsletter in English. To consult the latest issue of the Anses’newsletter, click here.