At the end of January, EURL staff was informed by the NRL in Cyprus about moth specimens identified as S. frugiperda after real-time PCR molecular analysis. These specimens had been trapped at Pissouri Village by an amateur entomologist and quickly delivered to the NRL. Two adult specimens were sent to ANSES and AGES for morphological and molecular confirmations that did not left any doubt: this priority quarantine pest crossed the Union borders. Spodoptera frugiperda worldwide spread has been strikingly rapid and relentless. Native to tropical-subtropical areas of the Americas, this moth is a migratory species capable of flying north up to southern Canada every summer. It cannot therefore be excluded that the moth flew to the island of Cyprus from the surrounding countries of the Mediterranean basin where it is present. According to EFSA, Cyprus is one of the European countries where the pest could find suitable climatic conditions for its establishment, as well as southern regions of Portugal, Spain, Italy, Malta and Greece. Enhanced monitoring will be necessary in Cyprus to determine the actual establishment and extent of distribution In other EU countries excepted the northernmost ones. Detailed information on the risk analysis, potential spread and economic impact for EU can be found on EFSA website. Maximum vigilance is required by the NRLs' network Identification guidance is available in the training sessions part We may fulfill reference material requests  

Recent outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth disease in Comoros (December 2022)   In December 2022, Foot and mouth disease (FMD) has been identified in Ngazidja, Comoros (information delivered by National Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and the Environment (INRAPE) and the breeding department). The disease seems to arrive from Tanzania and Kenya aboard a boat which transported animals (oxen and goats). INRAPE calls for compliance with the measures introduced pending the identification of the strain of the disease, which will make it possible to introduce the appropriate vaccine. For more information: - https://promedmail.org/promed-post/?id=20221227.8707478; - https://www.al-fajrquotidien.com/sante-la-fievre-aphteuse-signalee-a-ngazidja/

The registration to the 14th workshop for rabies that will be held on 21 and 22 June 2023 in Ljubljana  is now open. As the previous edition, the workshop will be an hybrid conference event. This will allow, participants to choose whether to participate remotely, or physically. This 14th session of the workshop for rabies will address the current situation of rabies surveillance and control in EU. More details like the provisional agenda will be soon relayed to registered participants. Registration to this event is restricted to National reference laboratories from the EU and selected partners of the EURL network and can be done until Febuary 27, 2023 .  See you soon in Ljubljana ! 

EURL GUIDANCE : EURL Guidance Document on the Extension of quantitative confirmation methods  -  Version 1.0 of 22 July 2021 Published on 04/01/2022

EURL GUIDANCE : EURL Guidance Document on confirmation methods validation  -  Version 1.1 of 25 November 2021 Published on 04/01/2022

Agenda Program 2023 is now available since January 2023.

Five cases of vesicular disease in pigs identified on farms in England. For more information, find a link here.

The new year started with changes for the Estonian NRL for Listeria monocytogenes. As of 1 January 2023, the Veterinary and Food Laboratory bears a new name – Riigi Laboriuuringute ja Riskihindamise Keskus (LABRIS) or in English the National Centre for Laboratory Research and Risk Assessment. Because of the change, all e-mail addresses have changed (firstname.surname@labris.agri.ee). The address of homepage has also changed to www.labris.ee. At the same time, the old website address will continue to function in parallel for another year, and emails sent to the old addresses will be forwarded automatically.

Au colloque Chlordécone en Guadeloupe pour présenter nos travaux sur l'impact des traitements thermiques (et en particulier les micro-ondes) sur cette molécule: https://lnkd.in/e-BXsYDi