Meetings of the Measles/Rubella Laboratory Network in the WHO European Region: 13–16 November 2018, Copenhagen, Denmark: meeting report

On 13–15 and 14–16 November 2018, two partially overlapping meetings of the WHO European Regional Measles/Rubella Laboratory Network (MR LabNet) took place in Copenhagen, Denmark. The first meeting was attended by representatives from laboratories in western and central European countries; the second was attended by representatives from laboratories in the Russian Federation and newly independent states. In both meetings participants were updated on progress and developments related to the MR LabNet and disease elimination programmes at regional and global levels, new molecular testing protocols, revised laboratory algorithms in connection with the new WHO Measles Rubella Laboratory Manual, serological testing kit comparison and validation and molecular external quality assessment (EQA). Also discussed were laboratory accreditation issues, the laboratory contribution to verification, reporting to WHO and eLearning tool development. A skills-strengthening session on viral sequence analysis and management, including reporting to the WHO Nucleotide Surveillance databases, was provided.

14th meeting of the Measles/Rubella Regional Reference Laboratories of the WHO European Region: 14–15 March 2019, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg: meeting report

The 14th meeting of the Measles/Rubella Regional Reference Laboratories (RRL) of the WHO European Region was held in Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg on 14–15 March 2019. This report consists of a summary of the presentations given by laboratory representatives and technical experts, including updates on the status of the WHO measles/rubella (MR) programme, proficiency testing, and the MR elimination verification process, and lists the recommendations that resulted from the discussions.

13th meeting of the Measles/Rubella Regional Reference Laboratories: 15–16 March 2018, Copenhagen: meeting report

The 13th meeting of the European Measles/Rubella Regional Reference Laboratories took place in Copenhagen, Denmark on 15- 16 March 2018.Participants were updated on the progress of measles and rubella (MR) elimination at the global and regional levels and discussed regional issues and future plans of the network of measles/rubella laboratories in the WHO European Region (MR LabNet) for training, verification of elimination and publications. Based on the presentations and discussions, the participants agreed on a set of recommendations, which are included in this report.

Eleventh meeting of the Measles/Rubella Regional Reference Laboratories of the WHO European Region: 14–15 March 2016, Berlin, Germany

The 11th meeting of the Measles/Rubella Regional Reference Laboratories of the WHO European Region took place in Berlin, Germany on 14–15 March 2018. The participants were updated on the progress of the Measles/Rubella programme at the global and regional levels and discussed regional issues and future plans pertaining to accreditation, molecular EQA, enhancing molecular detection/surveillance, verification of elimination, training and publications. Based on the presentations and discussions, the participants agreed on a set of operational recommendations on the different topics addressed during the meeting.

WHO European Regional measles/rubella LabNet meeting for western and central European countries, Turkey and Georgia: 27–29 June 2016, Budva, Montenegro

The 2016 meeting of the WHO western and central Europe, Georgia and Turkey Measles/Rubella LabNet took place in Budva, Montenegro, on 27–29 June 2016. Presentations and discussions during the meeting sessions allowed to develop operational recommendations in the following areas: surveillance, molecular epidemiology, internal quality control, proficiency testing, molecular EQA, reporting to WHO, verification process, training, resources and communication, and polio containment.