Enhanced laboratory surveillance of measles

Objective

WHO has set a target date for measles eradication in Europe by 2007? Political commitment to achieve and maintain high vaccination coverage and to enhance surveillance to monitor progress is key elements in this strategy. Laboratory confirmation and virus typing is essential for measles surveillance since clinical diagnosis has been shown to be unreliable. Experience in the UK has shown that the use of non-invasive specimens, such as oral fluid, results in high compliance rates. This concerted action aims to define the value of a measles surveillance programme based on oral-fluid testing. The evidence-based data is expected to give a clearer picture of measles in Europe, transmission patterns in Europe, vaccine efficacy and safety. The project will contribute to the QOL programme by improving surveillance (1.1.1-2.3.2), and control of infectious disease (1.1.1-2.2.3)

Programme(s)

• FP5-LIFE QUALITY - Specific Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Quality of life and management of living resources", 1998-2002

Topic(s)

• 1.1.1.-2. - Key action Control of Infectious Diseases

Funding Scheme

CON - Coordination of research actions

Coordinator

HEALTH PROTECTION AGENCY

Address

61 Colindale Avenue
NW9 5DF London
United Kingdom

Participants (9)

HELLENIC CENTER FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASES CONTROL

Greece

Address

Makedonias 6-8
10433 Athens

INSTITUT DR. VIOLLIER AG

Switzerland

Address

Hagmattstrasse 14
4123 Allschwill

INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA SANTE ET DE LA RECHERCHE MEDICALE

France

Address

Rue Chaligny 27
75571 Paris

INSTITUTE OF BIOTECHNOLOGY

Lithuania

Address

Graiciuno Street 8
2028 Vilnius

INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE SAUDE DR RICARDO JORGE

Portugal

Address

Avenida Padre Cruz
1649-016 Lisboa

LABORATOIRE NATIONAL DE SANTE

Luxembourg

Address

Rue Auguste Lumiere 20A
1950 Luxembourg

NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTE

Finland

Address

Mannerheimintie 16
00300 Helsinki

NORWEGIAN INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC HEALTH

Norway

Address

Geitmyrsveien 75, Torshov
0403 Oslo

STATENS SERUM INSTITUT

Denmark

Address

Artillerivej 5
2300 Koepenhagen