EURL rabies
Collection of samples, techniques, validation and interpretation of the diagnostic methods for the purposes of rabies surveillance are presented here.
Diagnostic methods considered compliant are presented in the WOAH rabies manual. A list of procedures inspired by the WOAH official methods is also proposed.
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Workshop for rabies 2016: meeting postpone to mid-June
♦ 03 December 2015 ♦
The workshop, initially forecasted for 20-21 April, has been postponed to mid-June. It is likely that it will be held over one single day. More information on the date will be given at the shortest notice.
Estonian Veterinary and Food Laboratory
♦ 02 November 2015 ♦
Estonian Veterinary and Food Laboratory (VFL) is the national reference laboratory for rabies.
The Central Veterinary and Food Laboratory is situated in Tartu and there are three smaller branch laboratories in Tallinn, Rakvere and Saaremaa. Rabies studies are performed only in Central VFL in virology-serology department. The head of department is Katrin Mähar and three chief specialists involved with rabies investigation are Christel Männistu, Marika Karu and Viivika Virga. OTC determination studies are performed in bacteriology-patology department and contact person is Katrin Peik.
Methods
• Fluorescence antibody test (FAT)
• Tissue culture infective test (RTCIT)
• Molecular techniques (RT-PCR)
• OTC determination
• ELISA
All laboratory methods are accredited according to ISO/I EC 17025:2005.
Responsibility of NRL
Rabies surveillance:
Examine about 200 samples per year for virus detection.
Efficiency of oral vaccination programm.
Examine about 2000 samples per year for virus detection
Examine about 500 samples per year for antibody detection
Examine about 400 samples per year for OTC detection
Estonian has officially been rabies free since 2013, but we carry out vaccination of wildlife along the east border in buffer zone with Russia. Last confirmed case rabies from are raccon dog was 2011 find close to Russian border.
Contact
Katrin Mähar: katrin.mahar@vetlab.ee
Website: www.vetlab.ee
New batch of Fugirebio FICT: Caution in use!
♦ 16 October 2015 ♦
The EURL for rabies has been informed by a member of the NRL network (ISCIII, Spain) that the new batch of Fujirebio 524255 may provide a negative diagnosis result on the EBLV-1 strains detection. According to a study performed by a member of the NRL network using this material (APHA, UK), they conclude the new Fujirebio batch should not be used in FAT or RTCIT for diagnostic work due to its inability to detect EBLV-1 and EBLV-2 at a sufficiently high dilution to avoid non-specific fluorescence. Please take into account the manufacturer recommendations of systematically evaluate new batches against relevant virus strains.
RITA 2015: 26th Annual Rabies in the Americas conference
♦ 07 October 2015 ♦
The RITA conference is an annual international event taking place in America where lots of research scientists, academics, students, public health officials, veterinary professionals, rabies program directors and others have the opportunity to meet, discuss and present the latest research in the fight against rabies worldwide. For the 2015 conference, the EURL for rabies had the opportunity to give a talk entitled “Control and Elimination of Rabies in the Baltic States” during the “Oral rabies vaccine and rabies control” session (OP54). The presentation can be seen on the EURL for rabies website.