The ERLTB-Net sub-network of reference laboratories from EU/EEA Member States supports harmonisation of methods and laboratory capacity for tuberculosis diagnosis, antimicrobial susceptibility testing and typing in the EU/EEA.
Ebola viruses and Marburg virus are classified as biosafety level 4 (BSL-4) pathogens and require special containment and barrier protection measures, in particular for people taking care of infected patients or bodies.
2014 was the first year that Ebola viral haemorrhagic fever infections were notified in TESSy, prompted by an outbreak in West Africa. Several, mostly travel-related, cases were reported in Europe since. Latest data from the Annual epidemiological report
ECDC promotes the performance of external quality assessment (EQA) schemes, in which laboratories are sent simulated clinical specimens or bacterial isolates for testing by routine or reference laboratory methods. EQA schemes, or laboratory proficiency testing, provide information about the accuracy of different characterisation and typing methods as well as antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) and the sensitivity of the methods in place to detect a certain pathogen or novel resistance patterns.
Cases are reported all year round, with an increase between April and July, and a peak in May. Small outbreaks still occur in Europe where areas with affected sheep and goat herds are considered at risk.