POSTED NOVEMBER 18, 2008 | Arizona Department of Agriculture

Animal Services Division
Office of the State Veterinarian
1688 W. Adams, Phoenix, AZ 85007 602-542-4293 fax-602-542-4290

REMINDER

November 13, 2008

To: County Animal Control Agencies and Humane Societies

Re: Testing of Poultry for Avian Influenza

The Arizona Department of Agriculture, Animal Services Division, is actively engaged in surveillance for Avian Influenza and Exotic Newcastle Disease in poultry. Again, we would like to ask your cooperation in allowing us to take throat swabs from recently seized, confiscated, or surrendered poultry in your possession to test for these diseases.

We are particularly interested in testing confiscated game (i.e. fighting) chickens. Of course, we are also interested in sampling birds that are showing signs of respiratory or neurologic disease.

If your agency wishes to have chickens in their possession sampled for these diseases at no cost, please contact me at the telephone number below and we will try to make arrangements to do so. Occasionally, however, we may be unable to accommodate your request if ADA personnel are not available in your area.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Ted H. Noon, DVM
Assistant State Veterinarian
Animal Services Division
Office of the State Veterinarian
Arizona Department of Agriculture
602-316-3873

NOTE: Calls involving nuisance ducks, geese, and swans in city parks and on golf courses should be referred to the USDA Wildlife Services at 866-487-3297 or 602-870-2081.

Calls involving suspected disease in wild birds should be referred to the Arizona Game and Fish Department Hotline at 877-972-8426.