LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -- A testing program unveiled Thursday will help Nebraska poultry farmers check their birds for avian influenza.

The state Department of Agriculture said department employees will administer the free tests at the request of the farmer.

Samples will be sent to the University of Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center for analysis.

"Thankfully, avian influenza hasn't been found here, but it's important to be pro-active and vigilant to protect our state," said Greg Ibach, director of the agriculture department.

He said the simple tests go a long way to protect the state's poultry industry, which accounts for $1.35 billion of the Nebraska economy each year.

Birds that can be tested include chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, guineas, ducks and geese.

Money for the program comes the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Health experts worldwide worry that the H5N1 strain of avian influenza that some birds carry could mutate into a form that spreads easily from person to person, causing a worldwide pandemic.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is already on the lookout for infected birds.

In June, commission staff began testing samples have been taken from Canada geese, mallard ducks and other migratory birds in Nebraska.