The Fluorescent Antibody Virus
Neutralization (FAVN) test is a virus neutralization assay developed
at CNEVA in Malzeville, France. The FAVN consists of a three-fold
serum dilution series. It is used to detect rabies virus
neutralizing antibody after vaccination and is required by many
rabies free countries in order for dogs and cats to qualify for a
reduced quarantine period from qualified areas. Some of these
regions are Hawaii, Guam, Japan, St.
Kitts and Nevis, Australia, New Zealand, France
and the United Kingdom.
Always check with the destination authority to verify pet
importation requirements.
Results will be reported in International Units per milliliter (IU/mL).
A titer of greater or equal to 0.50 IU/mL is generally required for
travel to rabies-free areas accepting titers.
Submissions must be on our "Request for FAVN
Testing" form.
(PDF)

Specimen Requirement
-
1ml serum
without preservatives; spun and separated from the clot. Note: Tubes, at a minimum, must be labeled legibly with the animal’s name and/or permanent identification.
- Microchip identification
must be implanted
prior to sample draw.
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Note:
A waiting period of at least 21 days between rabies vaccination
and sample draw is advised for optimum antibody response.
Shipping Information
Serum should be packed in a leak-proof plastic bag with absorbent material. This should then be placed inside a second container with ice packs. We recommend that an overnight or next day carrier be used since the regular mail can take up to two weeks. KSU will not accept packages sent “bill recipient;” shipping charges are the responsibility of the shipper.
Cost
Currently, the cost is $47.00 USD by
check, money order or credit card. Please include payment at time of
submission. A delay in testing may occur if payment is not included.
Please see the “payment by credit card”
form for charging payment. If payment is not received or the payment
does not clear, the balance due will be billed to the submitting
clinic.
Processing Time
Results can be expected three weeks after receipt. We will fax
results upon request. KSVDL receives packages 24 hours per day, 7
days per week. However, the lab is only open Monday through Friday
and the sample will not be dated until it has reached our
laboratory.
Send Samples To:
Attn: FAVN Rabies Laboratory
Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory
Mosier Hall O-245
1800 Denison Avenue
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS, USA 66506-5601
If you have additional questions, please call (785) 532-4455, email rabies@vet.k-state.edu or
check our website at
www.vet.ksu.edu/rabies |