In 2021 there was an overall increase in reported cases of zoonotic diseases and foodborne outbreaks compared to the previous year, but levels are still well below those of the pre-pandemic years.The general drop compared to pre-pandemic years in reported cases and outbreaks is probably linked to COVID-19 control measures, which were still in place in 2021. Among the few exceptions are the number of cases for yersiniosis and those of foodborne listeriosis outbreaks, which...

Launch of a new Better Training for Safer Food (BTSF) training programme on Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat foods and on the studies to be implemented to satisfactorily meet the requirements of Regulation (EC) 2073/2005 on microbiological criteria for food. ​ This training programme was developed by the EURL for Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), in collaboration with Competent Authorities and National Reference Laboratories for Lm in Europe. ​ The first training session of...

You may have already identified, the EU One Health report is available on the EFSA website or ECDC website. You would be able to access 2 new interactive tools on foodborne outbreaks: dashbord, map. Report: Direct link from EFSA website Image from EFSA website.

We would like to inform the network, that Dr. Alexandra Schoos is replacing Manon Bourg as Head and contact person of the Luxembourguish National Reference Laboratory for Listeria monocytogenes hosted in the State Veterinry Laboratory (LMVE). Official Veterinary, she is the new technical manager of the Microbiologcal Department.

Finally the first EURL Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) on-site training had been successfully arranged since the beginning of the covid-19 pandemic. The EURL Lm organised a 5-day training session for the Greek NRL for Lm, the Department of Food Hygiene (Directorate of Veterinary Center of Athens, Directorate General of Veterinary Services of the Ministry of Rural Development & Food) in its premises of Athens. This training had involved 5 participants from the GR-NRL Lm, and...

It is with great emotion that we learned that Dr Noel Fenech passed away on 12 July 2021. Head of the Department for Health Regulation of the Public Health Laboratory (Valletta, Malta), he has been the Head of the Maltese National Reference Laboratory for Listeria monocytogenes since March 2017. All EURL Listeria monocytogenes colleagues present our sincere condolances to his familly and our Maltese colleagues.

We are pleased to inform you that the Standing Committee of the Plants, Animal, Food and Feed/Section “Biological safety of the food chain”, at its meeting of 1st July 2021, has approved the version 4 of the EURL Lm Technical Guidance Document on challenge tests and durability studies for assessing shelf-life of ready-to-eat foods related to Listeria monocytogenes: link. This new version was prepared with a working group of 7 NRLs coordinated by the EURL Lm and welcomed...

ANSES publishes data sheets on microbiological hazards. The data sheet dedicated to Listeria monocytogenes waw recently updated. Here is the link: https://www.anses.fr/en/system/files/BIORISK2016SA0081FiEN.pdf

Public Health England (UK-NRL Lm) has published its 2019 report on national surveillance of listeriosis in England and Wales. Main figures: 142 cases of listeriosis were reported in England and Wales. 4 listeriosis outbreaks investigated in England, including a national outbreak associated with the consumption of prepacked hospital sandwiches.