EFSA has organised a meeting with its stakeholders to gather feedback on the draft scientific opinion “Listeria monocytogenes contamination of ready-to-eat (RTE) foods and the risk for human health in the EU”. Speakers’ presentations had covered: The potential health effects associated with L. monocytogenes and the relation between doses and illness in different risk groups; The exposure to L. monocytogenes by consumption of RTE foods; and The trends of human listeriosis cases in the EU with potential explanatory factors. Reminder: The draft scientific opinion for public consultation until 29 September 2017.

♦ 28 September 2017 ♦ Do not forget: Word Rabies Day on 28 September! https://rabiesalliance.org/world-rabies-day  

♦ 12 September 2017 ♦ The report of the 2017 session has been sent to all participants this week. The content also includes the answers to the technical questionnaire and a reminder of the EURL recommendations. This year, FAT, RTCIT and RT-PCR techniques were evaluated. Additionaly, an evaluation was done on the “overall assessment” of the laboratories. As done last year, two random samples were included to avoid collusion. These samples have not been taken into account in the evaluation process. Global evaluation shows again a good performance level. Participant laboratories will receive an online satisfaction survey regarding the test send directly from our quality department, as well as the usual attestation with summary of performances. The report is published on the EURL website for private members only.  

♦ 12 September 2017 ♦ A call for registration for the inter-laboratory test for tetracycline determination 2017 was sent in early September to National Reference Laboratory from European and bordering countries. Registration ends on 15 September. Each panel contains 6 half-jaws, including the canine, positive or negative jaws for tetracycline. The samples have to be cut and analysed by the laboratories who are then asked to provide the positive or negative status regarding tetracycline for each sample as well as the age category (Adult or Juvenile). An online technical questionnaire is also part of the test. Results are expected to be returned by 30 October 2017. A report on this trial should be issue beginning of year 2018.  

♦ 11 September 2017 ♦ The results for the 2017 session of the inter-laboratory test for rabies serology have now all been received by the EURL for rabies serology. A total of 81 laboratories participated this year. Results and report will be communicated to the participating laboratories, as well as the European Commission and relevant authorities where necessary. This test is compulsory for the purposes of laboratories authorisations to carry out the serological tests to monitor the effectiveness of the anti-rabies vaccination. More information on https://ec.europa.eu/food/animals/pet-movement/approved-labs_en  

♦ 27 August 2017 ♦ [Relayed from ec.europa.eu] “EU official control rules are a key element of the governance of the agri-food chain in Europe, which are recognised world-wide as an example of best practice. Those rules provide national enforcers and the Commission with the necessary powers to ensure effective enforcement of regulatory requirements, and with mechanisms that allow the full cooperation of all parties involved in ensuring the correct application of the law across national borders. The Official Controls Regulation also provides the Commission with audit and control powers in the Member States and Third Countries, and with the power to take action at EU level. The Official Controls Regulation (EU) 2017/625 addresses official controls and other official activities performed to ensure the application of food and feed law, rules on animal health and welfare, plant health and plant protection products (Official Controls Regulation - OCR). The new rules replace Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 on official controls and other legislation which currently governs the control and enforcement of rules along the agri-food chain.” New regulation is available here and on the eur-lex.europa.eu website.  

♦ 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!