[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 60 (Wednesday, March 29, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15750-15751]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-4514]


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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