♦ 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.  

♦ 26 October 2012 ♦ The 5th workshop for rabies was held on 26th and 27th September 2012 in Nancy. It gathered 58 scientists and representatives of institutions during the two days of meeting, which happened to be an excellent opportunity for extensive discussions on the advances in technology throughout Europe and bordering countries, the programmes for rabies control and prevention and the European rabies situation and perspectives. The second day was specifically dedicated to a training on tetracycline and age determination on teeth intended for EU NRLs needing to use this technique as part of their ORV programme. These two days were completed with an evening with buffet and music for all participants, as the Nancy-Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife was celebrating this year its 40th anniversary. All presentations and abstracts of this workshop are available on documentation part of the EURL website (restricted area).

♦ 10 October 2012 ♦ An inter-laboratory trial on tetracycline determination on teeth will be organised by the EURL this autumn. The panel will be composed of a positive or negative red fox jaws for tetracycline and a technical questionnaire, in order to compare the procedure used within participants. The panels will be sent on 23 October 2012 at -20°C and results are expected before 16 November 2012. As this technique requires specific material, this trial is intended only for laboratories that routinely use it or previously have used it.

♦ 28 February 2012 ♦ The EURL first planned to held next workshop for rabies on 19-20 September 2012. However, a major WHO meeting for rabies being held at the same date, it was decided to postpone the meeting to 26-27 September 2012. For your agenda Event: 5th Workshop for rabies Location: Nancy, France Dates: Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 September 2012

♦ 28 February 2012 ♦ The report of the 4th workshop for rabies held in Nancy on 21 September 2011 is available. The photo gallery of this event is also available online.

♦ 12 December 2011 ♦ The inter-laboratory test for SAD Bern titration is now under progress. Thirteen/fourteen participants laboratories are involved. The objective of this study is to compare intra and inter laboratory variability on such techniques. Results from the laboratories are expected before 28 November 2011.

♦ 12 December 2011 ♦ An inter-laboratory test for rabies diagnosis will be held in April 2012. Four techniques will be tested on a panel of 10 samples: FAT (Fluorescent Antibody Test), RTCIT (Rabies Tissue Culture Infection Test) Conventional RT-PCR Real-Time RT-PCR Laboratories willing to participate in the test should contact the EURL. Non-EU countries may be asked to produce specific administrative documents (import license, etc.). Full information can be provided on request. Caution! Registration deadline: 23 December 2011.

♦ 30 September 2011 ♦ Every year, the National Reference Laboratories of each Member State meet under the impulse of the EURL. This day of exchange and sharing promotes discussions on the rabies advancement on a European level, as well as improvement and harmonization of the techniques used for its follow up. A regards as the European rabies epidemiological situation and the new oral vaccination programmes, the EURL enlarged the 2011 meeting to Western Balkan countries and Norway. This meeting held on 21st September gathered 55 scientific experts from 29 laboratories and two European Institutions (European Commission and European Food Safety Authority). The work day was divided in 3 sessions: The first one was dedicated to the statement on rabies control in wildlife within participating countries, the second one to the advances in rabies diagnostic techniques and oral vaccination control, and the last one to the progress in rabies molecular epidemiology. Posters and presentations of the meeting will soon be available on this website.

♦ 30 September 2011 ♦ A collaborative study to compare the performance of anti-rabies diagnosis is actually under progress. Twelve voluntary NRL are taking part in this test. Panels were sent on 12 September and results are expected for 10 October.

♦ 30 May 2011 ♦ Registration for the 4th workshop for rabies is open now. Four sessions are planned during this meeting: Rabies diagnosis - Advances in molecular biology Techniques relative to oral vaccination control Epidemiology New this year! Each laboratory will have to make a presentation on one of the above topic. An abstract of the presentation has to be sent with the registration form. European Taiex countries can attend the meeting under specific conditions. Participants can register using the registration form and sending their abstract (see instructions) before 30 June 2011.