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Those of you who import "anything that was once part of a bird" know
that if something is coming from a country where Highly Pathogenic
Avian Influenza occurs, you must treat the sample to inactivate
virus prior to import even if you have a USDA-approved BSL2 lab.
Further, you must have a certificate of treatment stating which of
the USDA-approved methods were used. <br>
<br>
It now appears that the only countries/regions that are still
considered free of HPAI are Central America, South America, and a
few island nations (Australia had an outbreak but has since been
declared HPAI-free). Canada and Mexico (even the Yucatan states) are
no longer considered free of HPAI. Europe is no longer considered
free of HPAI. <br>
<br>
APHIS has not yet issued a formal public notice but has issued an
alert to the ports. They will be adding this treatment requirement
to all new permits and when current permits are renewed. <br>
<br>
Bottom line is that nearly all avian imports will need to be treated
prior to import even if you have a USDA-approved BSL2 lab. The list
of USDA-approved treatments is here: <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 (not suitable for feathers)<br>
4M guanidine hydrochloride<br>
10% Formalin-fixed slides<br>
<br>
NOTE: in the past, I have referred you to this <a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.aphis.usda.gov_wps_portal_aphis_home-3F1dmy-26urile-3Dwcm-253Apath-253A_aphis-5Fcontent-5Flibrary_sa-5Four-5Ffocus_sa-5Fanimal-5Fhealth_sa-5Fimport-5Finto-5Fus_ct-5Fanimal-5Fdisease-5Fstatus&d=AwMDaQ&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=I8WMh8SnO_P1q7Bt2jRFeIhAT8OdAvpC2ML18JPsnw8&s=lL0PvspfVBSotQFZJDs43lN-wChmiNGThS5jFvsfUb4&e=">site</a>
to determine if a country is considered free of HPAI and/or END. I
learned only recently that it is not a complete list. Some countries
are added "administratively" rather than through the formal listing
process and are not added to this list. I have been in contact with
APHIS higher-ups to explain that this is very problematic and I am
trying to persuade them to add every country where HPAI or END
occurs, regardless of the manner of listing. Australia, for
instance, was never added to this list even though there was an
outbreak of HPAI. There was never a public notice that it was listed
and no notice that it was taken off the list. <br>
<br>
If a country is not on the list, check your permit, but also get in
touch with me and I will double-check because a country may have
been added (or taken off the list) after your permit was issued.<br>
<br>
<br>
Ellen<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="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.nmnh.si.edu_BIRDNET&d=AwMDaQ&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=I8WMh8SnO_P1q7Bt2jRFeIhAT8OdAvpC2ML18JPsnw8&s=DGzYodLQ-xi46VL-G6yTjmfugbOE2C7UUb13o9d360Q&e=">"
http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET"</a>
</pre>
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