29 March 2006
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[Federal Register: March 29, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 60)]
[Notices]
[Page 15750]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29mr06-102]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Amendment of February 4, 2004, Order To Embargo Birds and Bird
Products Imported From Israel
SUMMARY: On February 4, 2004, the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services issued an order to ban immediately the import of all birds
(Class: Aves) from specified countries, subject to limited exemptions
for returning pet birds of U.S. origin and certain processed bird-
derived products. HHS/CDC took this step because birds from these
countries potentially can infect humans with avian influenza (influenza
A/ [H5N1]). The February 4, 2004, order complemented a similar action
taken at the same time by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service (APHIS) within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
On March 10, 2004, HHS/CDC lifted the embargo of birds and bird
products from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)
because of the documented public-health and animal health measures
taken by Hong Kong officials to prevent spread of the outbreak within
the HKSAR, and the absence of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1
cases in Hong Kong's domestic and wild bird populations. USDA/APHIS
took a similar action. On September 28, 2004, HHS/CDC extended the
embargo on birds and bird products to include Malaysia because of the
documented cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza A H5N1 in poultry
in Malaysia. On July 20, 2005, USDA/APHIS adopted as a final rule the
interim rule that became effective on February 4, 2004, which amended
its regulations to prohibit or restrict the importation of birds,
poultry, and unprocessed birds and poultry products from regions that
have reported the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in
poultry. (See 70 FR 41608 [July 20, 2005].) As the United Nations Food
and Agriculture Organization and the World Organization for Animal
Health (OIE) have confirmed additional cases of highly pathogenic avian
influenza (H5N1), USDA/APHIS has added additional countries to its ban.
Because of the documentation of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1
in poultry, HHS/CDC added the following countries to its embargo:
Kazakhstan, Romania, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine on December 29, 2005;
Nigeria on February 8, 2006; India on February 22, 2006; Egypt on
February 27, 2006; Niger on March 2, 2006; Albania, Azerbaijan,
Cameroon, and Burma (Myanmar) on March 15, 2006.
On March 17, 2006, OIE reported confirmation of highly pathogenic
avian influenza H5N1 in poultry in Israel. At this time, HHS/CDC is
adding Israel to its current embargo. This action is effective on March
20, 2006, and will remain in effect until further notice.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On March 17, 2006, OIE reported confirmation of highly pathogenic
avian influenza H5N1 in turkeys in farms in the Beer-Sheva, Ashkelon,
and Jerusalem districts, Israel.
Introduction of birds infected with highly pathogenic avian
influenza H5N1 into the United States could lead to outbreaks of
disease among birds and among the human population, a significant
public health threat. Banning the importation of all avian species from
affected countries is an effective means of limiting this threat. HHS/
CDC is therefore taking this action to reduce the likelihood of
introduction or spread of influenza A H5N1 into the United States.
Immediate Action
Therefore, pursuant to 42 CFR 71.32(b), HHS/CDC is amending the
February 4, 2004, order to add Israel to the list of countries subject
to the order's embargo of birds and products derived from birds. All
other portions of the February 4, 2004, order, as further amended on
March 10, 2004, September 28, 2004, December 29, 2005, February 8,
2006, February 22, 2006, February 27, 2006, March 2, 2006, and March
15, 2006 shall remain in effect until further notice.
Dated: March 23, 2006.
Julie Louise Gerberding,
Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services.
[FR Doc. E6-4513 Filed 3-28-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P
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[Federal Register: March 29, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 60)]
[Notices]
[Page 15750-15751]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr29mr06-103]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Amendment of February 4, 2004, Order To Embargo Birds and Bird
Products Imported From Afghanistan
SUMMARY: On February 4, 2004, the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services issued an order to ban immediately the import of all birds
(Class: Aves) from specified countries, subject to limited exemptions
for returning pet birds of U.S. origin and certain processed bird-
derived products. HHS/CDC took this step because birds from these
countries potentially can infect humans with avian influenza (influenza
A/ [H5N1]). The February 4, 2004, order complemented a similar action
taken at the same time by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service (APHIS) within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
On March 10, 2004, HHS/CDC lifted the embargo of birds and bird
products from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)
because of the documented public-health and animal health measures
taken by Hong Kong officials to prevent spread of the outbreak within
the HKSAR, and the absence of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1
cases in Hong Kong's domestic and wild bird populations. USDA/APHIS
took a similar action. On September 28, 2004, HHS/CDC extended the
embargo on birds and bird products to include Malaysia because of the
documented cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza A H5N1 in poultry
in Malaysia. On July 20, 2005, USDA/APHIS adopted as a final rule the
interim rule that became effective on February 4, 2004, which amended
its regulations to prohibit or restrict the importation of birds,
poultry, and unprocessed birds and poultry products from regions that
have reported the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in
poultry. (See 70 FR 41608 [July 20, 2005].) As the United Nations Food
and Agriculture Organization and the World Organization for Animal
Health (OIE) have confirmed additional cases of highly pathogenic avian
influenza (H5N1), USDA/APHIS has added additional countries to its ban.
Because of the documentation of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1
in poultry, HHS/CDC added the following countries to its embargo:
Kazakhstan,
[[Page 15751]]
Romania, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine on December 29, 2005; Nigeria on
February 8, 2006; India on February 22, 2006; Egypt on February 27,
2006; Niger on March 2, 2006; Albania, Azerbaijan, Cameroon, and Burma
(Myanmar) on March 15, 2006; and Israel on March 20, 2006.
On March 15, 2006, OIE reported confirmation of highly pathogenic
avian influenza H5N1 in poultry in Afghanistan. At this time, HHS/CDC
is adding Afghanistan to its current embargo. This action is effective
on March 21, 2006, and will remain in effect until further notice.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On March 15, 2006, OIE reported confirmation of highly pathogenic
avian influenza H5N1 in chickens and turkeys in five provinces of
Afghanistan, including Jalalabad, Kabul, Laghman, Vardak and Kunar.
Introduction of birds infected with highly pathogenic avian
influenza H5N1 into the United States could lead to outbreaks of
disease among birds and among the human population, a significant
public health threat. Banning the importation of all avian species from
affected countries is an effective means of limiting this threat. HHS/
CDC is therefore taking this action to reduce the likelihood of
introduction or spread of influenza A H5N1 into the United States.
Immediate Action
Therefore, pursuant to 42 CFR 71.32(b), HHS/CDC is amending the
February 4, 2004, order to add Afghanistan to the list of countries
subject to the order's embargo of birds and products derived from
birds. All other portions of the February 4, 2004, order, as further
amended on March 10, 2004, September 28, 2004, December 29, 2005,
February 8, 2006, February 22, 2006, February 27, 2006, March 2, 2006,
March 15, 2006, and March 20, 2006, shall remain in effect until
further notice.
Dated: March 23, 2006.
Julie Louise Gerberding,
Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services.
[FR Doc. E6-4514 Filed 3-28-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P