To prevent the potential introduction of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) into exhibitions, the Oregon Department of Agriculture is requiring PCR testing for all waterfowl and lactating dairy cattle within 10 days prior to arrival at an exhibition. ODA will coordinate with exhibition coordinators to provide supplies and prepaid shipping, while also paying for the cost of testing.
Testing Lactating Dairy Cattle
USDA regulations currently require that dairy cattle samples for HPAI testing must be collected by a licensed veterinarian or state-approved sampler. ODA has a dairy sampler approval program in place, allowing exhibitors (and any other dairy owners/employees) to receive approval to collect samples for HPAI testing. More information is available at
http://oda.direct/BovineHPAISampler.
ODA will coordinate with exhibition coordinators to provide sampling kits, although approved samplers may also request kits directly from ODA (kit request forms are available on the approved sampler webpage above).
To test lactating dairy cattle, a milk sample, containing equal amounts of milk from each quarter, must be collected into an appropriate sample container. Samples should be labeled with the animal ID and owner name, and a provided barcode should be applied to the sample container. The provided submission form should be completed for each premises where lactating dairy cattle are sampled, including each individual animal's information on the form with a barcode matching the sample.
Testing Waterfowl
ODA will coordinate with exhibition coordinators to provide sampling kits for exhibitors.
To test waterfowl, a cloacal swab must be collected using a synthetic swab, into an appropriate viral transport media. Samples should be labeled with the animal ID and owner name, and a provided barcode should be applied to the sample tube. The provided submission form should be completed for each premises where waterfowl are sampled, including each individual animal's information on the form with a barcode matching the sample.