A laboratory technician aide, loading positive samples of the avian influenza (AI) virus into a culture to identify the type of virus.

A microbiologist loading centrifuges. The centrifuges are used to perform real-time rapid diagnosis of the avian influenza (AI) virus.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture´s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and Agricultural Research Service (ARS) have a cooperative laboratory.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture´s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and Agricultural Research Service (ARS) have a cooperative laboratory.

A seagull waits to be released.

Close up of samples taken from wild birds.

USDA biologists and a veterinarian gather material to be analyzed.

USDA biologists retrieve seagulls from netting for AI testing.

USDA biologists prepare equipment used for humane capturing of wild birds.

The USDA National Wildlife Research Center in Fort Collins, Colorado.