The RDVS Laboratory is ISO/IEC 17025 accredited to perform the Canadian Food Inspection Agency – Retrovirology Centre of Expertise (CFIA-RCE) protocol “ELISA test for the Detection of Antibodies to Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA)”.

EIA testing is required by artificial insemination centres, racing commissions, private boarding facilities, horse show organizers and the health authorities of the vast majority of importing countries. EIA testing for the purposes of the export program satisfy the health certification requirements of importing countries.

The RDVS laboratory can only accept samples for EIA testing from one of the following:
1. Veterinarians accredited by the CFIA to take samples from horses under the EIA control program or the program for the export of horses to the United States or Mexico.
2. A CFIA employee, for quality assurance purposes (e.g. proficiency testing provided by the RCE).

Specimens that are collected and submitted by non-accredited veterinarians will be rejected by the laboratory.

Specimen must be tested by the laboratory within 3 weeks of the sampling date, or the sample will be rejected by the laboratory. The submitted specimen, either whole blood or serum, must be accompanied by one of the following forms:
1. A completed electronic submission form submitted via the electronic submission and certificate issuance system, Global Vet Link (GVL). Veterinarians are requested to include a printed copy of the electronic submission form
with the specimen during shipment.
2. A complete CFIA form (CFIA/ACIA 3937). Accredited Veterinarians can request these forms from their respective CFIA District Offices. Please ensure that all necessary information is provided to ensure that the testing can be completed in a timely manner. If too much information is missing from the submission form the laboratory may request that a new specimen is collected and submitted with a duly complete submission form.

Veterinarians are encouraged to use Global Vet Link for electronic submission and certificate issuance of EIA specimen. Veterinarians who do not wish to use Global Vet Link must apply and receive approval for exemption with CFIA to continue using the CFIA submission form (CFIA/ACIA 3937).