[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 47 (Friday, March 10, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 12362]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-3431]


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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 Nigeria

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 Southeast Asian 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 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 Federal 
Register 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. On December 29, 2005, HHS/CDC added the Republic of Kazakhstan, 
Romania, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Turkey, and Ukraine to 
its current embargo because of documented cases of highly pathogenic 
avian influenza A/H5N1 in poultry in those countries.
    Currently, HHS/CDC and USDA/APHIS bans cover birds and bird 
products from Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Laos, Malaysia, 
the People's Republic of China, Romania, Russia, South Korea, Thailand, 
Turkey, Ukraine, and Vietnam.
    On February 7, 2006, the OIE confirmed the presence of highly 
pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in poultry in Nigeria. At this time, 
HHS/CDC is adding Nigeria to its current embargo. This action is 
effective on February 8, 2006, and will remain in effect until further 
notice.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On February 7, 2006, an OIE reference laboratory in Padua, Italy, 
confirmed an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in 
Nigeria. The outbreak occurred in a commercial poultry farm in Jaji in 
Kaduna State, and suspect cases in poultry were reported as early as 
January 10, 2006.
    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 chance of 
introduction or spread of influenza A/(H5N1) into the United States.

Immediate Action

    Therefore, pursuant to 42 CFR 71.32(b), the February 4, 2004, HHS/
CDC is amending the order to add Nigeria 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, and December 29, 2005, 
shall remain in effect until further notice.

    Dated: March 6, 2006.
Julie Louise Gerberding,
Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department 
of Health and Human Services.
[FR Doc. E6-3431 Filed 3-9-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P