Laboratory: National Polio Laboratory, Tallinn, Estonia
Accreditation Review Summary
Accreditation review outcome:
Accredit: Laboratory meets all criteria
Capacity:
Virus isolation in cell culture
Intratypic differentiation by RT-PCR
Sequencing
Environmental surveillance
Provisionally accredit: Laboratory passed the most recent proficiency test, but needs to strengthen one
or more of the remaining criteria (check off relevant criteria):
Capacity:
Virus isolation in cell culture
Intratypic differentiation by RT-PCR
Sequencing
Environmental surveillance
Do not accredit: Laboratory did not pass the most recent proficiency test and/or did not meet other
performance indicators.
Capacity:
Virus isolation in cell culture
Intratypic differentiation by RT-PCR
Sequencing
Environmental surveillance
UN City, Marmorvej 51 Tel.: +45 45 33 70 00 Email:
[email protected]
DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø Fax: +45 45 33 70 01 Website: http://www.euro.who.int
Denmark
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTÉ Date: 5 December 2023
WELTGESUNDHEITSORGANISATION
ВСЕМИРНАЯ ОРГАНИЗАЦИЯ ЗДРАВООХРАНЕНИЯ
REGIONAL OFFICE FOR EUROPE
BUREAU RÉGIONAL DE L’EUROPE
Ms Riina Sikkut
REGIONALBÜRO FÜR EUROPA Minister of Health
ЕВРОПЕЙСКОЕ РЕГИОНАЛЬНОЕ БЮРО
Ministry of Social Affairs
Head office: Suur-Ameerika 1
UN City, Marmorvej 51, Tallinn 10129
DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
Tel.: +45 45 33 70 00; Fax: +45 45 33 70 01 Estonia
Email:
[email protected]
Website: https://www.who.int/europe
Dear Madam,
WHO European Regional Polio Laboratory Network
Laboratory Accreditation for 2024
As part of the annual accreditation procedure, the National Polio Laboratory of your country, as a
member of the WHO Global Polio Laboratory Network, was reviewed by the WHO Regional Office
for Europe. Based on the results of this review, I am pleased to inform you that the laboratory is fully
accredited as a WHO National Polio Laboratory for 2024. Please find enclosed the Accreditation
Review Summary for your information. All technical recommendations have been shared with the
laboratory using the WHO Global Polio Laboratory Network Management System platform.
The Polio Eradication Strategy 2022–2026 (https://polioeradication.org/gpei-strategy-2022-2026)
continues to emphasize the importance of rapid poliovirus detection. To that end, the introduction of
molecular intratypic differentiation (ITD) in all polio laboratories would prepare them to adopt direct
molecular detection of polioviruses once this approach becomes available. I trust that you will
continue providing your kind support to the polio laboratory in your country by ensuring that the
WHO ITD method is accepted and endorsed for use in your country and that the polio laboratory is
adequately resourced to continue its critical function.
I would also like to emphasize the importance of following the containment requirements for
laboratories handling any poliovirus type 2 and wild poliovirus type 3 materials, as both are currently
under the scope of the global poliovirus containment provisions and must be promptly destroyed or
transferred if stored outside a poliovirus-essential facility.
I would like to thank you personally for your ongoing support of the Global Polio Eradication
Initiative and to congratulate the staff of the laboratory on the successful accreditation.
Yours very truly,
Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge
Regional Director
UN City, Marmorvej 51 Tel.: +45 45 33 70 00 Email:
[email protected]
DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø Fax: +45 45 33 70 01 Website: https://www.who.int/europe
Denmark
Encl.: Accreditation Review Summary
Copy for information to:
Ms Elen Ohov, Adviser, European Union Affairs and International Co-operation Department, Ministry of Social Affairs
Suur-Ameerika 1, Tallinn 10122, Estonia
Ms Triin Uusberg, Head, European Union Affairs and International Co-operation Department, Ministry of Social Affairs,
Suur-Ameerika 1, Tallinn 10129, Estonia
H.E. Ms Riia Salsa-Audiffren, Ambassador Representative of the Republic of Estonia, Permanent Mission of the Republic
of Estonia to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, Chemin du Petit-Saconnex 28A
Genève CH-1209, Switzerland
H.E. Mr William Mart Laanemäe, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Embassy of the Republic of Estonia,
Frederiksgade 19, 4th floor, Copenhagen K 1265, Denmark
Ms Kristina Köhler, Liaison Officer, WHO Country Office, Estonia, Paldiski Road 81, Tallinn 10617, Estonia
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