[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 87 (Friday, May 5, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26542-26543]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-6875]


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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 Gaza, the West Bank, and the Ivory Coast (Cote 
d'Ivoire)

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 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. 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; Israel on 
March 20, 2006; Afghanistan on March 21, 2006; Jordan on March 29, 
2006; Burkina Faso on April 10, 2006; and Pakistan on April 10, 2006.
    On April 11, 2006, OIE reported confirmation of highly pathogenic 
avian influenza H5N1 in poultry in Gaza. On April 25, 2006, OIE 
reported confirmation of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in 
poultry in the Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire). At this time, HHS/CDC is 
adding Gaza, the West Bank, and the Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire) to its 
current embargo. CDC is including the West Bank in its determination 
because the administrative regions of Gaza and the West Bank are the 
same with respect to animal movement and trade. USDA has also taken a 
similar action with respect to this region. This action is effective on 
April 28, 2006, and will remain in effect until further notice.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On April 11, 2006, OIE reported confirmation of highly pathogenic 
avian

[[Page 26543]]

influenza H5N1 in chickens and ducks in several farms in Gaza.
    On April 25, 2006, OIR reported confirmation of highly pathogenic 
avian influenza H5N1 in chickens and ducks in Abidjan district, Ivory 
Coast (Cote d'Ivoire).
    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 Gaza, the West Bank, and the Ivory Coast 
(Cote d'Ivoire) 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, March 20, 2006, 
March 21, 2006; March 29, 2006; April 10, 2006; and April 10, 2006 
shall remain in effect until further notice.

Julie Louise Gerberding,
Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department 
of Health and Human Services.
[FR Doc. E6-6875 Filed 5-4-06; 8:45 am]
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