1.Based on the epidemiological inquiry, the competent authority shall decide if a holding is to be considered as a contact holding.
The competent authority shall ensure that the measures provided for in Article 7(2) are applied to contact holdings until the presence of LPAI has been excluded in accordance with the diagnostic manual.
2.Based on the epidemiological inquiry, the competent authority may apply the measures provided for in Article 39 to contact holdings and in particular if the contact holding is located in an area with a high density of poultry.
The main criteria to be considered for the application of the measures provided for in Article 39 in contact holdings are set out in Annex IV.
3.The competent authority shall ensure that samples are taken from the poultry when they are killed in order to confirm or exclude the presence of the LPAI virus in those contact holdings in accordance with the diagnostic manual.
4.The competent authority shall ensure that, on any holding where poultry or other captive birds are slaughtered or killed and disposed of, and LPAI is subsequently confirmed, the buildings and any pastures used for housing them, farm yards and any equipment likely to be contaminated and the vehicles used for transporting the poultry, other captive birds, carcases, meat, feed, manure, slurry, bedding and any other material or substance likely to be contaminated undergo one or more of the procedures provided for in Article 48.