♦ 11 July 2014 ♦

The inter-laboratory test for rabies diagnosis is now over. Fifty laboratories were involved in this trial using at least one of the FAT, RTCIT, conventional and/or real time RT-PCR technique. All participants had to test a single panel of 9 coded samples within a month.

The analysis of the results is now under progress and the report should be issue during the autumn 2014.
 

♦ 27 June 2014 ♦

As too many rabies events and meetings are currently organised during the autumn season, the EURL team decided to postpone next workshop to the spring season. Consequently, there will be no workshop for rabies in 2014. From 2015 and on, workshops will be held annually each spring.

The 7th EURL workshop for Rabies will be held on 27^th and 28^th May 2015 in Zagreb, Croatia.

Save the date!

♦ 21 February 2014 ♦

The 6th workshop for rabies was held on 13th and 14th November 2013 in Athens, Greece. The choice of this Member State as host country was decided following the re-emergence of rabies in the North of the country in October 2012.

Fifty-six participants from thirty-nine National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) from European Union and third countries attended the meeting. An American rabies expert, two representatives from the European Commission and EFSA, and a delegation from the Hellenic Ministry of Rural Development and Food also participated to the workshop.

Presentations and discussions focussed on rabies diagnosis tools, including a comparison study on various real time RT-PCR kits and on a new test using direct rapid immunohistochemistry. Other presentations dealt with the control and the epidemio-surveillance of rabies issues. The recent cases of imported rabid animals in the Netherlands, Spain, and France were also discussed.

Presentations as well as the report of this workshop are available in the documentation part of the EURL website (restricted area).
 

♦ 04 February 2014 ♦

Registration for participation to the inter-laboratory test for diagnosis is now over. Fifty laboratories will participate on one or more techniques (FAT, RTCIT, Conventional and/or real time RT-PCR). The samples will be sent end of May for a test performance in June 2014.

Participants will be asked to answer an online questionnaire for each technique used. It aims to compare the procedures used in laboratories and will help to highlight the influences of variations on the results obtained during the trial.
 

Coordinating the methods employed in the Member States for diagnosing rabies

●  Typing, storing and supplying strains of rabies virus

●  Preparing, controlling and supplying international standard sera and other reference reagents to the National Reference Laboratories in order to standardise the tests and reagents used in the Member States

●  Validating reference reagents including antigens and national standard sera submitted by the National Reference Laboratories

●  Building up and maintaining a sera bank and a collection of rabies virus, and maintaining a database of strains isolated across the European Union, including typing

●  Organising periodical comparative tests of diagnostic procedures at European Union level and operating laboratory proficiency tests of National Reference Laboratories

●  Collecting and collating data and information on the methods of diagnosis used and the results of tests carried out in the European Union

●  Characterising rabies virus by the most up-to-date methods available to allow a greater understanding of the epidemiology of the disease

●  Keeping abreast of developments in rabies surveillance, epidemiology and prevention throughout the world

●  Acquiring a thorough knowledge of the preparation and use of the products of veterinary immunology used to eradicate and control rabies, including the evaluation of vaccines

Contributing to the improvement and  harmonisation of methods of analysis  throughout the European Union

●  By specifying standard test methodologies

●  By providing reference materials to NRLs

●  By providing NRLs with details and guidance on the methods of laboratory analysis, testing or diagnosis

●  By conducting training courses for staff from NRLs, and if needed from other official laboratories

Organising workshops for the benefit of National Reference Laboratories

●  Including training of experts from the Member States and, as appropriate, from third countries, in new analytical methodologies

Providing scientific and technical assistance to the Commission

●  And, upon its request, by participating in international forums relating to rabies, concerning in particular the standardisation of analytical diagnostic methods and their implementation

Performing and coordinating research activities directed towards the improved control and eradication of rabies

●  Carrying out or collaborating with National Reference Laboratories in test validation trials

●  Providing scientific advice to the Commission and collecting information and reports associated with the activities of the European Union Reference Laboratory

MAIN PARTNERS

European Commission www.ec.europa.eu
WOAH - World Organisation for Animal Health www.woah.org/en/home/
WHO - World Health Organisation www.who.int
EFSA - European Food Safety Authority www.efsa.europa.eu
EDQM - European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines and Healthcare www.edqm.eu
FAO -  Food and Agriculture Organisation www.fao.org
GARC - Global Alliance for Rabies Control https://rabiesalliance.org/

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION

...

European Commission website and regulation
 

• Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2017 (Repeal of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004)
• Commission Regulation (EC) No 415/2013 of 6 May 2013 (Amendment of  Regulation (EC) No 737/2008)
• Regulation (EC) No 208/2011 (Amendment of Annex VII to Regulation (EC) No 882/2004)
• Commission Regulation (EC) No 737/2008 of 28 July 2008 (Nomination of Anses as EURL for rabies)
• Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 (Official controls)
• List of European Union Reference Laboratories

Last update : 17 January 2023