Testing for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus

The Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (WADDL) collaborates closely with state and federal agencies to actively monitor, understand, and mitigate the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAI H5N1) across dairy cattle, poultry, and other animal species.

WADDL provides a range of resources for producers, including comprehensive HPAI testing services and up-to-date information on the latest federal and state guidelines pertaining to the virus.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) tests performed

HPAI tests performed from January 1, 2024, to present.

The Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory is at the forefront of the multiyear global highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak detecting and tracking the spread of the HPAI H5N1 virus across a variety of domestic and wild animal species and agriculture/food commodities within multiple states.  

Our lab has the high throughput capabilities to detect the avian influenza virus (matrix screening test), the avian influenza H5 strain, and the current highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) strain (2.3.4.4.b) via PCR.  

Avian influenza testing information


Washington state and federal resources for avian influenza

WADDL is the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) veterinary testing laboratory for Washington state, a level 1 USDA National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) laboratory, and an FDA Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Laboratory (Vet-LIRN) laboratory.