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05 February 2004

U.S. Bans Asian Birds to Prevent Flu Spread

Eight Asian nations affected by import prohibition

The United States is banning importation of birds from eight Asian nations in order to prevent the introduction of avian influenza into U.S. poultry flocks or the human population. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture jointly announced the ban in a February 4 press release.

Bird flu has appeared in nine Asian nations, and about 50 million domesticated birds have been slaughtered as a means to contain further spread of the disease, according to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization. The World Health Organization has confirmed 18 human cases of the same flu strain resulting in 14 deaths as of February 5.

Up to now, it appears most humans have been infected through direct contact with birds. The greatest fear for health experts is that the flu strain could mutate in a human host and develop into a strain that is transmissible human-to-human. A previously unknown strain would probably meet no immunity in the human system, experts say, and could escalate into a serious global flu epidemic.

The U.S. restrictions on poultry imports from Asia will affect an estimated 20,000 birds arriving from countries currently experiencing flu outbreaks. The ban affects both poultry and pet birds, and avian products. Processed products derived from birds can avoid the ban with an import permit and government certification of proper treatment to render them noninfectious.

The nations affected are Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, and the People's Republic of China including Hong Kong.

Further details about the ban are available at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/embargoqa.htm

Following is the text of the press release:

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February 04, 2004
HEADLINE: HHS, USDA BAN IMPORTATION OF BIRDS FROM SOUTHEAST ASIA

Prompted by outbreaks of avian flu responsible for the deaths of millions of birds and at least 13 humans in Southeast Asia, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today announced a ban on importation of birds from eight Southeast Asian countries. The ban, which is effective immediately, is designed to protect poultry and humans in the United States from the possible spread of avian influenza.

"These imports were already under tight restrictions because of the presence of exotic Newcastle disease in these countries," Secretary Veneman said. "However, the temporary ban puts additional safeguards in place."

The ban applies to birds and bird products from the following countries: Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, and the People's Republic of China including Hong Kong, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. It excludes bird products processed to render them noninfectious. Processed avian products from these countries must have an import permit and government certification of treatment.

"Given the significant public health threat posed by avian flu, we feel this ban on bird imports is prudent," Secretary Thompson said. "There is no evidence any birds infected with avian flu have been imported to the United States, but we want to do everything possible to limit the potential threat to the American public."

The H5N1 subtype of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is an extremely infectious and fatal poultry disease that spreads rapidly from flock to flock. It occurs naturally in wild birds but is particularly deadly to domesticated birds like chickens. It can also spread from birds to humans, and in Southeast Asia most of the 17 human cases have been among people closely associated with poultry. The current avian flu outbreaks have caused significant concern among health authorities worldwide because of the potential for the human and avian flu viruses to swap genes, creating a new virus to which humans would have little or no immunity.

The United States annually imports an estimated 20,000 birds arriving from countries with current avian influenza outbreaks, according to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Because the eight countries affected with the H5N1 subtype are not recognized as free of exotic Newcastle disease (END), poultry, pet birds and avian products from these countries were already subject to permitting requirements, and live birds and hatching eggs were required to be quarantined for 30 days after entry into the U.S. During the quarantine period, tests were conducted for both avian influenza and END.

Pet and performing birds of U.S. origin returning from Southeast Asia will be allowed to return to the U.S. with a permit and a 30 day quarantine in a USDA facility. These birds were previously allowed to be quarantined at home.

Avian flu has been confirmed in humans during several outbreaks in Asia since 1997. Symptoms in humans range from fever, cough, sore throat and muscle aches to eye infections, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress and other severe and life-threatening complications.

The temporary ban and pet bird requirements will be reviewed as more information on the situation in Southeast Asia becomes available. For additional information about U.S. origin pet birds and avian products call the APHIS National Center for Import and Export at (301) 734-3277, or visit the Web site at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov and click on "Hot Issues."

More information on avian flu in humans and birds is also available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/facts.htm.
Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.

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