Avian Flu Test Required for Birds Outside the State of CT

Connecticut state law requires all out-of-state waterfowl to be tested and found negative for Avian Influenza before being transported into the State of Connecticut.

This means that if you have birds outside Connecticut that you would like to surrender to us or would like us to take in as rescues, you must first have them tested and found negative for Avian Influenza.

You can search our Vet Finder database of waterfowl vets if you need assistance locating a vet in your area that can handle waterfowl and avian influenza testing.

The vet will need to perform a cloacal swab, virus isolation test for the H5 and H7 strains of avian influenza. They will need to send the sample to a state approved, regulatory lab (you will need to find a vet who has experience with this procedure).

Once the test is performed, the birds will need to remain in your custody for 3-5 days while you wait for the results to come back.

If the test is negative, the vet will need to issue individual Health Certificates for each bird you are bringing into the state of Connecticut.

Each Health Certificate (Certificate of Veterinary Inspection) should include a physical description, (including breed) and sex of the duck/goose (if determinable). Each certificate must state that the individual duck or goose has “Cloaca swab tested negative for Avian Influenza virus H5 and H7.”

If there are multiple birds and any of them look identical, they will need to be banded for differentiation. This can be done by carefully placing a different colored tie-wrap around the ankle of each duck or goose. The identifying band colors must be referenced on the Health Certificate.

Once you have the Health Certificate, we will give you our fax number so that you can fax us a copy. We will then contact you with a permit number, which will authorize you to transport the waterfowl into Connecticut.

You may then transport the waterfowl and the original Health Certificate(s) into the state of Connecticut and to our sanctuary.