Determination of rabies antibody titer in pets using the FAVN method
Starting from September 16, 2024, Russia and Belarus will be classified as high-risk countries for rabies. As a result, it will become mandatory to determine the rabies antibody titer for pets (dogs, cats, domestic ferrets) entering Estonia and the rest of the European Union (EU) from these countries.
The antibody titer testing for cross-border movement of pets must be performed using the virus neutralization test (Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization test, FAVN), which can only be conducted by approved laboratories (https://food.ec.europa.eu/animals/movement-pets/designated-laboratories-performing-rabies-antibody-titration-tests_en). Such laboratories are located in various EU member states as well as in other parts of the world. Currently, there is no approved laboratory in Estonia.
The closest approved laboratories to Estonia are located in:
- Riga, Latvia - Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment (BIOR) https://bior.lv/en. Detailed information and contact here.
- Helsinki, Finland - Finnish Food Authority (Ruokavirasto) https://www.ruokavirasto.fi/en/laboratory-services/. Detailed information and contact here.
- Vilnius, Lithuania - National Food and Veterinary Risk Assessment Institute https://nmvrvi.lrv.lt/en/. Detailed information and contact here.
The collection and sending of samples to an approved laboratory will be carried out by veterinary clinics and licensed veterinarians.
Laboratory diagnosis of rabies in animals (clinical and suspicious cases) is conducted at the LABRIS Tartu laboratory.
For more information, see the links below:
- Agriculture and Food Board press release: "Changes in requirements for pets arriving from Russia and Belarus from September"
- Leaflet: Requirements for pets arriving from Russia and Belarus change from September (in English)
- Leaflet: С сентября меняются требования для кошек, собак и белых хорьков, прибывающих из Российской Федерации и Республики Беларусь (in Russian)
- Rabies: https://pta.agri.ee/tarbijale-ja-eraisikule/lemmikloomad/marutaud
- Animal diseases: https://www.agri.ee/toiduohutus-taime-ja-loomatervis/loomade-tervis-heaolu-ja-aretus/loomataudid
More information:
Katrin Mähar
Head of Virology-Serology Department
tel +372 738 6111; +372 506 6687
email katrin.mahar[at]labris.agri.ee
