Duties of the European Union Reference Laboratory for Rabies

Coordinating the methods employed in the Member States for diagnosing rabies

●  Typing, storing and supplying strains of rabies virus

●  Preparing, controlling and supplying international standard sera and other reference reagents to the National Reference Laboratories in order to standardise the tests and reagents used in the Member States

●  Validating reference reagents including antigens and national standard sera submitted by the National Reference Laboratories

●  Building up and maintaining a sera bank and a collection of rabies virus, and maintaining a database of strains isolated across the European Union, including typing

●  Organising periodical comparative tests of diagnostic procedures at European Union level and operating laboratory proficiency tests of National Reference Laboratories

●  Collecting and collating data and information on the methods of diagnosis used and the results of tests carried out in the European Union

●  Characterising rabies virus by the most up-to-date methods available to allow a greater understanding of the epidemiology of the disease

●  Keeping abreast of developments in rabies surveillance, epidemiology and prevention throughout the world

●  Acquiring a thorough knowledge of the preparation and use of the products of veterinary immunology used to eradicate and control rabies, including the evaluation of vaccines


Contributing to the improvement and  harmonisation of methods of analysis  throughout the European Union

●  By specifying standard test methodologies

●  By providing reference materials to NRLs

●  By providing NRLs with details and guidance on the methods of laboratory analysis, testing or diagnosis

●  By conducting training courses for staff from NRLs, and if needed from other official laboratories


Organising workshops for the benefit of National Reference Laboratories

●  Including training of experts from the Member States and, as appropriate, from third countries, in new analytical methodologies


Providing scientific and technical assistance to the Commission

●  And, upon its request, by participating in international forums relating to rabies, concerning in particular the standardisation of analytical diagnostic methods and their implementation


Performing and coordinating research activities directed towards the improved control and eradication of rabies

●  Carrying out or collaborating with National Reference Laboratories in test validation trials

●  Providing scientific advice to the Commission and collecting information and reports associated with the activities of the European Union Reference Laboratory

 

 

MAIN PARTNERS

European Commission www.ec.europa.eu
WOAH - World Organisation for Animal Health www.woah.org/en/home/
WHO - World Health Organisation www.who.int
EFSA - European Food Safety Authority www.efsa.europa.eu
EDQM - European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines and Healthcare www.edqm.eu
FAO -  Food and Agriculture Organisation www.fao.org
GARC - Global Alliance for Rabies Control https://rabiesalliance.org/

 

 

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION

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European Commission website and regulation
 

 

Last update : 17 January 2023