CDC Rescinds its Temporary Bird Flu Import Ban (APHIS' Import Restrictions Remain in Place)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is rescinding, effective September 14, 2009, its 2004 order and subsequent amendments that prohibited the importation of birds and unprocessed bird products from certain countries, due to concerns about the risk of introducing highly pathogenic avian influenza into the U.S.
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CDC Ban No Longer Needed, as APHIS Commercial Industry Ban Adequate
The CDC is taking this step as the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's import regulations that 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 adequately address risks to human health from highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1.
CDC states that while APHIS actions are based primarily on protecting the U.S. commercial poultry industry from the introduction of H5N1, these actions have the added benefit of mitigating the risk of human exposure to the virus.
All APHIS Bird Embargoes Remain in Effect
All of the bird embargoes that are currently in force under APHIS regulations remain in effect. The CDC states it will work closely with APHIS to monitor the international situation regarding H5N1 outbreaks and if human health risks are not adequately contained by APHIS regulatory actions, CDC will take action to mitigate any human health risks associated with these outbreaks.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 02/10/04 news, 04021020, for BP summary of USDA/APHIS and HHS/CDC press release on imposition of temporary ban.)
CDC contact: Robert Mullan (404) 498-1600
CDC final notice (FR Pub 08/13/09) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-19453.pdf
CDC announcement of its intention to rescind (FR Pub 01/21/09) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-1029.pdf