The surveillance plan is voluntary and completely free of charge. Participating institutions may test up to twenty-five birds monthly. Test results will be available in a secure, online database. Summary reports will be available for participating institutions.
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SAMPLING PROCEDURES

This page is designed to give an overview of  sample collection, processing and shipping by a participating institution. For more specific instructions please refer to the Collection Manual on the Documents page. Guidelines are provided for EACH type of sample that may be taken as part of this program: serum, oropharyngeal and or cloacal swabs, and tissues. NOT EVERY SAMPLE TYPE will be submitted every time. If you have questions about the appropriate sample type to be submitted for this project, please contact System Administrators at ZAHN. Each sample type (swab, serum or tissues) will have a bar code sticker attached to the sample for ease of identification at the participating labs.

The sample collection kit you will receive from the diagnostic laboratory at Cornell will contain all the necessary supplies for swab, tissue, and serum collection for three months. Shipping labels and FedEx forms will be enclosed in the collection kit. Your institution is asked to use your own boxes, Styrofoam coolers, and ice packs as necessary for shipping samples to your designated diagnostic laboratory. Please contact the ZAHN administrators for your regional lab assignment.

Each month, swab samples may be submitted for a maximum of 25 birdsfrom your institution. For each of these birds, samples should be collected both from the cloaca and oropharynx, so that each month there is a maximum of 25 cloacal swabs and a maximum of 25 oropharyngeal swabs for a maximum total of 50 swabs from 25 birds. Each month, tissue samples may be submitted on a maximum of 10 birds from your institution.

LABELING SAMPLES

What is a sampling event?

A sampling event is when you collect the samples from a given animal. In a given sampling event, you may collect several different sample types from the same animal.

Where are my samples sent?

All swabs and tissues, along with the Sample Collection Data Sheet, are sent to your designated NAHLN lab for AI diagnostics. All serum samples, along with the Serum Collection Data Sheet, will be sent to the AZA Zoo Animal Health Network at the Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago.

What about the Demographic Data Form?

For every sampling event, ONE Demographic Data Form should be submitted for the sampled animal.Information from this form will be entered on-line. The Demographic Data Form provides valuable information about the animal at the time of sampling. You do not need to fill out a different Demographic Data Form for each sample, but fill out a Demographic Data Form for each sampling event.

How do I use the Barcode stickers?

Barcode stickers are provided in quadruplicate. Please note that the numbers across the bottom of the barcode stickers are the SAME across the row of 4. One sticker is placed lengthwise on the sample collection vial, one sticker is placed on the appropriate Sample Collection Data Sheet, and one is placed on the Demographic Data Form to assist with on-line demographic data entry. The fourth barcode is supplied as a spare in case an additional one is needed. Important note: Potentially, an animal may have serum, and 2 types of swabs taken at the same time. You need only apply ONE of the matching stickers to the Demographic Data Form. When you scan in the barcode from the Demographic Data Form it will link that form to all samples taken during that sampling event.

SHIPPING SAMPLES

Shipping and Handling Protocol

Prior to packing, all sample vials should be capped tightly. Check that all samples have barcodes firmly attached before placing them in one of the small sealable bags from the collection kit. Seal this bag.

Place the sealed bag with the samples in it into a larger sealable bag with frozen ice packs and absorbent material. Make sure this last outer bag is sufficient in size to contain the samples, ice packs, and the absorbent material supplied with the sample collection kit. Please note that the larger bag can hold two of the smaller bags. Seal the larger bag. This method should provide 3 seals between the sample and the cooler/box to prevent leaks.

Place the Sample Collection Data Sheets (if sending swabs or tissues for testing to your designated lab) or Serum Sample Collection Data Sheet (if sending serum samples to Lincoln Park Zoo) into one of the zip-lock bags provided in the collection kit.

Place the bag with samples, and the bag with data sheets in an insulated Styrofoam shipping container. Using packing tape or duct tape to seal the Styrofoam shipping container around the lid and at each end using a continuous wrap around the container. If practical, place the Styrofoam shipping container in a cardboard box that is slightly larger and tape the box shut.

Attach the FedEx Airbill in the resealable FedEx pouch to the outside of each Styrofoam shipping container or box. Please see the examples provided for determining how the FedEx labels should be prepared. Tissues and swabs are sent to your designated NAHLN LAB Serum samples are sent to Lincoln Park Zoo.

In the collection kit you will find 2 types of stickers from the Department of Transportation. Affix the appropriate sticker to the box, as described below For tissue, swabs, and serum samples from apparently healthy animals, use the sticker that reads 'EXEMPT ANIMALS SPECIMENS' For samples taken from sick or dead animals, affix the sticker that reads ‘BIOLOGICAL SUBSTANCE, CATEGORY B AND UN3373’ Be sure to cover any previous stickers or writing on the box from its previous use. Please log the tracking number in your files in case packages are delayed


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