U.S. Removes Hong Kong from Temporary Import Ban on Certain Birds and Bird Products
Effective March 10, 2004, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) amended its February 4, 2004 order that temporarily imposed an embargo on certain birds and bird products (including hatching eggs) by removing Hong Kong from the list of countries subject to the order.
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According to CDC, its February 4, 2004 order complemented a similar action taken by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). APHIS and CDC issued these temporary import bans in order to protect poultry and humans in the U.S. from the possible spread of avian influenza (flu).
The CDC and APHIS are now lifting their embargo of birds and bird products from Hong Kong because of the documented public health and animal health measures taken by Hong Kong officials to prevent the spread of the outbreak within Hong Kong and the lack of avian flu cases in Hong Kong's domestic and wild bird populations. However, APHIS-imposed disease control measures, including a 30-day quarantine, are not affected by this order and will remain in place as directed by APHIS.
Eight Countries Remain Subject to Temporary Ban Until Further Notice
According to CDC, its February 4, 2004 order continues to apply to the following countries: Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, the People's Republic of China (excluding Hong Kong), South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam.
CDC states that its February 4, 2004 order immediately banned the import of all birds (Class: Aves) from the above-listed countries, subject to limited exemptions for pet birds and certain bird-derived products.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 02/10/04 news, 04021020, for BP summary of the CDC/APHIS ban as well as import requirements for certain birds and processed bird products.)
CDC Contact - Paul Arguin (404) 498-1600
CDC amendment notice (FR Pub 03/19/04) available athttp://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-6205.pdf