TESTING THE SAMPLE

Although this course has been walking you through some steps of some shaping plans for collecting a sample for testing for the coronavirus, we do recommend you watch these videos before you collect your first sample. These videos explains more about what happens with the sample and the different options for testing once collected.

Training to collect the sample will still be the same. Please follow the recommendations of your veterinary professional to decide which diagnostic procedure you will use.  Some tests may be fast, but less accurate.

In the  video below Copenhagen Zoo veterinarian Carsten Grøndahl tests the sample acquired from sea lion Bønne. However this quick test can show a false negative. If it shows positive, it is likely accurate.

KEEPING TESTING ACCURATE AND COST EFFECTIVE

A cost effective method suggested by the Veterinary Team at Copenhagen Zoo is as follows:

• Train animals for nasal and oral swabs
• If samples are collected regularly, then freeze those samples
• If those animals show symptoms, collect samples again and use the more expensive but reliable PCR test to test for the virus. The frozen samples will be available if needed for comparison and tracking history of onset.
• You may also want to test if any staff members working with those animals test positive for the virus.
  

Check with the veterinary professionals at your facility to confirm protocols.