Why?

What will be done

We will perform a gap analysis in year 1 (and repeat a second gap analysis in year 6 reflecting the results of the first gap analysis and the subsequent Diphtheria EQAs) to assess the current microbiological capability for the laboratory diagnosis of diphtheria in the EU/EEA, based on the results of the 2017 ECDC gap analysis. For comparability of results the previous questionnaire will be used and additionally adapted to previously identified gaps, e.g. diagnostic capacities and rapidness for obtaining test results, as well as newer developments in the diagnostic field, esp. referring to the molecular diagnostic and genome-based typing capacities in the member states and the available typing methods.