Updated: 03/03/2025. Information is constantly evolving; we will update these pages as guidance changes. Please check back here often
Notifications: If you suspect HPAI, contact your State Animal Health Officer (SAHO)
- CT Residents: Contact the CT State Animal Health Officer (SAHO) at 860-713-2505 or ctstate.vet@ct.gov
- MA Residents: Contact the MA SAHO at 617-626-1791 or use this reporting form
- RI Residents: Contact the RI SAHO at 401-640-4506 or use this reporting form
- Contact the CVMDL if you need help contacting the SAHO in other states
Specimen Types:
| Animal | Specimen Type* |
| Live birds | Contact the SAHO for the state in which the animal resides |
| Carcass | The entire animal may be shipped or delivered to CVMDL and swabbed on premises. Triple bag the carcass prior to shipping or delivering to CVMDL. |
General collection:
- Samples must be collected by a Category II accredited veterinarian or an authorized collector. Contact the SAHO for the state where the bird(s)/flock is located.
Shipping/Submission:
- Use the CVMDL Avian HPAI Submission form [click here if additional pages are needed]
- Store carcasses in a refrigerator or at refrigerator temperatures (or freezer, if delivery will occur at greater than 48 hours post mortem) until shipping or delivery
Reporting:
- HPAI suspects will generally be reported within 1 business day, after receiving at the laboratory
- Surveillance submissions will be reported within 2 business days, after receiving at the laboratory
- All results will also be sent to the appropriate SAHO and local the USDA Office.
- If the virus is detected, the result(s) will also be reported to the CT Veterinary Public Health Officer (if a CT resident).
- If the virus is detected, sample(s) will forwarded to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) for confirmatory testing.