Embargo of Birds from Specified Countries
Avian Flu Outbreaks
- Current Situation
- Past Outbreaks
- Embargo of Birds
- Quarantine Executive Order
(From the White House) - Quarantine Executive Order Q & A
CDC is proposing to rescind its embargo on the importation of birds and bird products. For more information, please see Notice of Proposed Rescission . The period for public comments closes on February 20, 2009.
General Information
Based on concerns about highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus and its potential to cause illness in humans, CDC and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have taken steps to prevent importation of birds and unprocessed bird products from countries with the virus in domestic poultry. The import restrictions do not apply to U.S.-origin pet birds which will be allowed to return upon entering a USDA quarantine facility for 30 days. The import restrictions also do not apply to processed bird products that have been rendered noninfectious. Countries affected by the CDC and USDA import restrictions are outlined in the following table:
Countries Affected by Current CDC and USDA |
|---|
Current as of February 5, 2007 |
Embargo Orders
- February 4, 2004: Notice of embargo of birds (Class: Aves) from specified Southeast Asian countries
(122 KB/3 pages)
- March 10, 2004: Amendment to lift the embargo of birds and bird products imported from Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Hong Kong) (91 KB/2 pages)
- September 28, 2004: Amendment to embargo of birds and bird products from Malaysia (14 KB/2 pages)
- December 29, 2005: Amendment to embargo of bird and bird products imported from Kazakhstan, Romania, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine (109 KB/2 pages)
- February 8, 2006: Amendment to embargo of birds and bird products imported from Nigeria (88 KB/2 pages)
- February 22, 2006: Amendment to embargo of birds and bird products imported from India (99 KB/2 pages)
- February 27, 2006: Amendment to embargo of birds and bird products imported from Egypt (107 KB/2 pages)
- March 2, 2006: Amendment to embargo of birds and bird products imported from Niger (112 KB/4 pages)
- March 15, 2006: Amendment to embargo of birds and bird products imported from Albania, Azerbaijan, Cameroon, and Burma (Myanmar) (1.08 MB/4 pages)
- March 20, 2006: Amendment to embargo of birds and bird products imported from Israel (98 KB/3 pages)
- March 21, 2006: Amendment to embargo of birds and bird products imported from Afghanistan (97 KB/3 pages)
- March 29, 2006: Amendment to embargo of birds and bird products imported from Jordan (100 KB/3 pages)
- April 10, 2006: Amendment to embargo of birds and bird products imported from Burkina Faso (837 KB/3 pages)
- April 10, 2006: Amendment to embargo of birds and bird products imported from Pakistan (843 KB/3 pages)
- April 28, 2006: Amendment to embargo of birds and bird products imported from Gaza, the West Bank , and Ivory Coast (1112 KB/3 pages)
- May 16, 2006: Amendment to embargo of birds and bird products imported from Sudan (107 KB/3 pages)
- June 2, 2006: Amendment to embargo of birds and bird products imported from Djibouti (105 KB/4 pages)
- February 28, 2007: Amendment to embargo of birds and bird products imported from Kuwait (108 KB/3 pages)
USDA Import Restrictions
- USDA Import Requirements
- USDA Final Rule: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza; Additional Restrictions
Questions and Answers
What birds are subject to the current import restrictions?
The CDC and USDA import restrictions apply to birds and products derived from birds (such as eggs) from Afghanistan, Albania, Azerbaijan, Burkina Faso, Burma (Myanmar), Cameroon, Cambodia, Djibouti, Egypt, Gaza and the West Bank, India, Indonesia, Israel, Ivory Coast (Cote d’Ivoire), Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Laos, Malaysia, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, People’s Republic of China, Romania, Russia, South Korea, Sudan, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, and Vietnam. In addition, USDA restricts the importation of birds and products from defined restricted zones within Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Sweden and the United Kingdom. The CDC and USDA import restrictions allow U.S.-origin pet birds to return following quarantine at a USDA facility for 30 days. CDC and USDA allow import of processed bird products that have been rendered noninfectious. These products must be accompanied by a USDA permit and government certification confirming that the products were treated according to USDA requirements.
Why do the CDC and USDA import restrictions apply to birds, but not other animals?
HPAI H5N1 avian influenza is a subtype of the type A influenza virus. Wild birds are the natural hosts of the virus, which circulates among birds worldwide. It is very contagious among birds and can be deadly to them, particularly domesticated birds like chickens. Infected birds shed virus in saliva, nasal secretions, and feces. Avian influenza viruses spread among susceptible birds when they have contact with contaminated excretions. Because there is no evidence of sustained HPAI H5N1 virus transmission among other animals, restrictions on other animal species are not currently needed. If additional animals appear to pose a risk for human infection, the importation restrictions may be expanded to include them.
Do the CDC and USDA import restrictions apply to birds already in the United States?
No current evidence suggests that birds infected with HPAI H5N1 have been imported and are causing disease in the United States. Therefore, these orders do not include restrictions upon the domestic movement of birds already in the United States.
Are there any exceptions to the import restrictions?
Yes. The orders do not apply to any person who imports or attempts to import products derived from birds if such products have been properly processed to render them noninfectious, as determined by federal officials, so that they comply with USDA requirements and pose no risk of transmitting or carrying the HPAI H5N1 virus.
What are HHS' and USDA's authority for taking these actions?
These actions are based upon provisions in Title 42 United States Code Section 264 (Section 361 of the Public Health Service Act) which authorize HHS to make and enforce regulations needed to prevent the introduction, transmission, or spread of diseases from foreign countries into the United States, or from one state or possession into any other state or possession. CDC has implemented this statute through regulations, and those that specifically authorize the order are found at 42 CFR 71.32(b). USDA’s authority for these actions is found at 9 CFR Parts 93, 94, and 95.
Who will enforce the provisions of these import restrictions?
CDC will work with other federal agencies, such as the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of USDA, Bureau of Customs and Border Protection of the Department of Homeland Security, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service of the Department of Interior, which have legal responsibility for enforcing the importation embargo.
What are the consequences of violating these import restrictions?
CDC is most concerned with making sure people comply with the order as a way of preventing the spread of HPAI H5N1 virus infection to humans and other animals. People who violate the order may be subject to criminal and/or civil penalties.
Page last modified March 02, 2007