MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) – The state will test its plans to respond to avian flu and a flu pandemic.

In a two-week exercise this month, the state will respond to the mock discovery of bird flu on a poultry farm in southern Vermont. The drill also will include the quarantine of students at two colleges.

“Both avian influenza and pandemic influenza would require a rapid and well coordinated response among many state agencies and other partners,” Gov. Jim Douglas said Tuesday. “Our goal is to test and strengthen the state’s pandemic influenza plans.”

Epidemiologists, infection control experts, state veterinarians, hospital staff, emergency responders and government officials will participate in the drill.