Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Testing

Testing for avian influenza virus by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a service offered at the UVDL. Full guidelines for sample collection and transportation are available through National Veterinary Services Laboratory.

Abbreviate Guide for Submissions

  1. ONLY sterile synthetic polymer or cotton tipped swabs on plastic handles should be used for collection; wooden handled swabs are unacceptable.
  2. Swabs should be submitted in viral transport media, such as brain heart infusion (BHI) broth or molecular transport medium (MTM).
    1. If these are not available, swabs maybe submitted in saline or dry in a sterile container, but these submission methods may negatively affect test results.
    2. Do NOT submit samples in bacterial gel culturettes.
  3. Samples should be kept refrigerated or frozen.
    1. Unused BHI broth: Refrigerated or frozen.
    2. Samples sent for testing within 3 days: store refrigerated.
    3. Samples sent for testing after 3 days: store and ship frozen on dry ice.
  4. The following samples should be collected according to species:
    1. Chickens, turkeys, gamebirds: oropharyngeal swabs.
    2. Other birds: cloacal swabs.
    3. Lactating cows: milk.
      1. Use tubes with screw tops-no red top tubes or snap top tubes.
      2. Fill tubes a maximum of 75% full.
    4. Non-lactating cows and other mammals: nasal swabs.
  5. Submissions with more than 10 samples should be accompanied by a spreadsheet or list of samples in numerical or alphabetical order that matches the labeling of the samples.
  6. Fill out and submit the General Submission form with the samples.
  7. Ship samples for overnight delivery.  Refrigerated samples should be accompanied by ice packs and frozen samples by dry ice, all within a Styrofoam shipping cooler.
    1. Review full shipping guidelines.
  8. If dropping off the samples in person, please park and call (435) 797-1895. DO NOT enter the building to avoid sample or laboratory contamination. Someone will come out to collect the samples and submission form.
  9. Turnaround time is a maximum of three business days from the day of submission.
  10. The federal government will pay for select surveillance samples, depending on species and clinical history from the veterinarian. Please call (435) 797-1895 for more information.
  11. Find the full submission guidelines for interstate and international movement of lactating dairy cows according to the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food.

Please review additional submission information on Avian Influenza qPCR Matric, H5/H7 and Avian Influenza A (all species).