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<div class="moz-cite-prefix">To avoid confusing others who might
read what Dirk wrote and rely on it, please note that for import
into the U.S., you must use one of the treatment methods that
have been approved by the USDA. The only exception is import from
countries where ANY highly pathogenic avian influenza occurs (I
stress ANY because originally, it was just H5N1 but it has now
been expanded to include all HPAI) and even then, only to
USDA-approved biosafety Level-2 labs. <br>
<br>
Gamma radiation is not on the list. The approved methods are:<br>
<br>
Heat to at least 100° C for at least 20 minutes <br>
Heat to at least 60° C for at least 30 minutes <br>
Heat to at least 56° C for at least 3 hours <br>
Immerse in 10% formalin/phenol (comes in this way) <br>
Immerse in 3% solution beta-Propiolactone for at least 30 minutes
<br>
Immerse in 3% solution sodium dodecyl sulfate for at least 30
minutes <br>
Immerse in phenol/chloroform (no solution strength specified;
material should remain immersed throughout import and until it
arrives at the institution) <br>
Immerse in methylene chloride (no solution strength specified;
material should remain immersed throughout import and until it
arrives at the institution) <br>
Immerse in a minimum of 70% alcohol (material should remain
immersed throughout import and until it arrives at the
institution) <br>
Affinity chromatography <br>
FTA cards <br>
4M guanidine hydrochloride<br>
<br>
They told me that they are planning to add formalin-fixed slides
to this list but apparently have not done so yet (I inquired about
a week ago). <br>
<br>
Documenting the date of collection serves no purpose with regard
to import into the U.S.<br>
<br>
Ellen<br>
<br>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">Ellen Paul
Executive Director
The Ornithological Council
Email: <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:ellen.paul@verizon.net">ellen.paul@verizon.net</a>
"Providing Scientific Information about Birds<a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET">"
http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET"</a>
</pre>
On 8/29/13 10:34 AM, Dirk Neumann wrote:<br>
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<div class="moz-cite-prefix">... just adding to the previously
said:<br>
<br>
If feasible, document "treatment" of feathers as best as
possible, as "bird feathers" are also considered as vector for
pathogens (keyword: bird flue) and import might trigger
veterinarian issues, too. Have the objects been prepared
(cooked/dried/stained) (be)for assembling the objects? Which
agents have been used (if known - e.g. previous insecticide
treatments).<br>
<br>
Perhaps it would be worth to consider a gamma radiation
treatment to kill potential pathogens (commonly done with fruits
that are imported e.g. from South America to kill potential
invading species or pathogens) - just an idea.<br>
<br>
Also in this respect, documenting the time of collection from
the wild as best as possible (e.g. hunted down 50 years ago) may
be relevant (if suited to document that collections are not
harmful).<br>
<br>
All the best<br>
Dirk<br>
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