24.6.2005   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 164/52

(1)

Decision 90/424/EEC provides for a Community financial contribution for the undertaking of technical and scientific measures necessary for the development of Community veterinary legislation and for veterinary education and training.

(2)

The Scientific Committee on Animal Health and Animal Welfare in a report of 27 June 2000 recommended that surveys be carried out on poultry flocks and wild birds for avian influenza, in particular to determine the prevalence of infections with avian influenza virus subtypes H5 and H7.

(3)

Council Directive 92/40/EEC of 19 May 1992 introducing Community measures for the control of avian influenza (2) defines Community control measures to be applied in the event of an outbreak of avian influenza in poultry. However, it does not provide for regular surveys of that disease in poultry and wild birds.

(4)

Accordingly, Commission Decisions 2002/649/EC (3) and 2004/111/EC (4) provided for the submission of surveillance programmes concerning avian influenza by the Member States to the Commission.

(5)

Commission Decisions 2002/673/EC (5) and 2004/630/EC (6) approved programmes submitted by the Member States for surveys of avian influenza in poultry and wild birds for the periods specified in those programmes.

(6)

During those surveys, the presence of different subtypes of H5 and H7 avian influenza viruses has been detected in several Member States. Although the current prevalence of avian influenza viruses can be considered rather low, it is important to continue and to improve the surveillance so as to better understand the epidemiology of the low pathogenic avian influenza viruses and prevent that viruses do not circulate unnoticed in the poultry population. The results of the surveys carried out in the Member States have proven to be very useful in monitoring the presence of avian influenza virus subtypes that could present a substantial risk if they mutated into a more virulent form. Taking into account the results obtained and the current disease situation in the Community, it is appropriate to increase the total amount of Community contribution to ensure increased surveillance.

(7)

Accordingly, Member States should submit their programmes for surveys for avian influenza to the Commission for approval so that the financial assistance by the Community may be granted.

(8)

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee of the Food Chain and Animal Health,

(a)

:

ELISA test

:

EUR 1 per test;

(b)

:

agar gel immune diffusion test

:

EUR 0,6 per test;

(c)

:

HI test for H5/H7

:

EUR 4 per test;

(d)

:

virus isolation test

:

EUR 30 per test.

1.

To estimate the prevalence of infections with avian influenza virus subtypes H5 and H7 in different species of poultry by repeating previous screening exercises provided for in Decisions 2004/111/EC and 2004/630/EC in a modified, more targeted manner.

2.

To continue surveillance for avian influenza on a voluntary basis in wild birds. The outcome of such surveillance should further provide valuable information for an early warning system of strains that may be introduced into poultry flocks from wild birds.

3.

To contribute to the knowledge on the threats of avian influenza to animal health from wildlife.

4.

To foster the connection and integration of human and veterinary networks for influenza surveillance.

1.

Sampling shall cover a period appropriate to production periods for each poultry category as required. For example, in many Member States a large slaughter of poultry (in particular turkeys and geese) takes place around Christmas. Sampling shall not extend beyond 31 January 2006.

2.

31 March 2006 shall be the date for the submission of the final survey results.

3.

Testing of samples shall be carried out at national laboratories for avian influenza (NL) in Member States or by other laboratories authorised by the competent authorities and under the control of the NL.

4.

All results (both serological and virological) shall be sent to the Community Reference Laboratory (CRL) for collation. A good flow of information must be ensured. The CRL shall provide technical support and keep an enlarged stock of diagnostic reagents. Antigens for use in the survey shall be supplied to NL’s by the CRL to ensure uniformity.

5.

All avian influenza (AI) virus isolates shall be submitted to the CRL in accordance with Community legislation. Viruses of H5/H7 subtype shall be submitted without delay and shall be subjected to the standard characterisation tests (nucleotide sequencing/IVPI) according to Directive 92/40/EEC. In addition, the CRL shall require that H5 or H7 positive sera collected from anseriformes be submitted ‘blind’ in order that an archive be established to facilitate future test development.

6.

All positive findings shall be retrospectively investigated at the holding and the conclusions of this investigation shall be reported to the Commission and the CRL.

7.

Specific protocols to accompany the sending of material to the CRL and reporting tables for collection of survey data shall be provided by the CRL. In those tables the laboratory testing methods used shall be indicated. The tables provided shall be used to submit results in a single document.

8.

Blood samples for serological examination shall be collected from all species of poultry including those reared in free-range systems, from at least 5 to 10 birds (except ducks geese and quail) per holding, and from the different sheds, if more than one shed is present on a holding.

9.

Sampling shall be stratified throughout the territory of the whole Member State, so that samples can be considered as representative for the whole of the Member State, taking into account:

10.

The sampling design shall also consider:

1.

Blood samples for serological testing shall be taken preferably from birds which are kept outside in fields.

2.

From each selected holding 40 to 50 blood samples shall be taken for serological testing.

1.

Liaisons with bird conservation/watching institutions and ringing stations are necessary. Sampling where appropriate shall be carried out by staff from these groups/stations or by hunters.

2.

Experience with the previous surveys has shown that the virus isolation rate was extremely low, therefore sampling shall focus on the birds migrating south during autumn and early winter.

1.

Cloacal swabs for virological examination shall be taken. In addition to ‘first year’ birds in autumn, host species with high susceptibility and increased contact with poultry (such as Mallard ducks) may offer the highest chance of success.

2.

Samples shall be taken from different species of free living birds. Waterfowl and shorebirds shall be the main sampling targets.

3.

Swabs containing faeces, or carefully collected fresh faeces shall be taken from wild birds trapped, hunted and found freshly dead.

4.

Pooling of up to five samples from the same species is possible. Specific care has to be taken for the storage and transport of samples. If rapid transport within 48 hours to the laboratory (in transport medium at 4° Celsius) is not guaranteed, samples shall be stored and then transported in dry ice at – 70° Celsius.

H5

H7