@Infoseepage @deewani @Nonya_Bidniss @HelenBranswell

A quick look into it shows that there's 58 labs approved to do the test, they all have phone numbers and mailing addresses listed. There's really no reason for NPR to wander into one with a sample without checking ahead of time. Generally there's SOPs that need to be followed and COCs that need to be filled out. That's a poor way to go about it, honestly. No one wants to lose their accreditation over a rando wandering in with an unknown sample that probably wasn't even collected properly.

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/labs/nahln/approved-labs/iav-a

In EPA certified water testing, for example, if someone walked into a lab with a sample you couldn't test it. You'd have to give them a sheet that explained how to properly collect the sample and ask them to come back after they did it properly and signed off on a COC that they did so. Testing it without that could lead to losing your accreditation.

@BE @deewani @Nonya_Bidniss @HelenBranswell Great, so you slam down a sealed jug on their front desk and say "I'd like this properly sampled and tested."

@Infoseepage @deewani @Nonya_Bidniss @HelenBranswell

Or, pick up the phone and say, "Hey, I'm driving down to Texas and I'd like to drop off some raw milk samples with you at the end of the day for testing" and not waste your time.

Not that you can't walk in, but, most labs get most of their samples in the mail anyway. They'd probably even give you a proper sample bottle, with the proper stabilizing agents, or whatever the SOP requires, so that you can collect and mail it to them.

@Infoseepage @deewani @Nonya_Bidniss @HelenBranswell

Alright, I caved and looked it up. The COC requires a Veterinary license number to run "NAHLN-approved PCR testing: FluA matrix, H5"

"Samples are to be collected by an accredited veterinarian, or a state licensed veterinarian, or a sample collector approved by the appropriate state animal health official. Designated individuals on production sites can be trained to collect milk samples and nasal swab samples for diagnostic
testing."

"Samples must be collected under the supervision of a licensed or accredited veterinarian or as
determined by the respective State Animal Health Official."

While I don't see anything about the farm needing to approve, the COC does require a "PREMISES ID" which I assume you wouldn't know off hand.

It also requires the "Animal ID", species, breed, sex and age of the cow.

Running it without all of that info could, conceivably, risk that lab's accreditation. I wouldn't doubt that there might be a lab willing to do it, but, that would require a reported calling their way through all 58 trying to find someone willing.