Commission Regulation (EC) No 318/2007 (repealed)Show full title

ANNEX VI U.K. EXAMINATION, SAMPLING AND TESTING PROCEDURES FOR AVIAN INFLUENZA AND NEWCASTLE DISEASE

(1) During quarantine either the sentinel birds, or if sentinel birds are not used, the imported birds, shall be subjected to the following procedures: U.K.

(a)

With use of sentinel birds:

(i)

blood samples for serological examination must be taken from all sentinel birds not less then 21 days following their entry into the quarantine and at least three days before the end of the quarantine;

(ii)

if sentinel birds show positive or inconclusive serological results for the samples referred to in (i), the imported birds must be subjected to virological examination; cloacal swabs (or faeces) and tracheal/oropharyngeal swabs must be taken from at least 60 birds or from all birds if the consignment is less than 60 birds;

(b)

Without use of sentinel birds, imported birds must be examined virologically (serological testing not being appropriate). Tracheal/oropharyngeal and/or cloacal swabs (or faeces) must be taken from at least 60 birds or from all birds if the consignment is less than 60 birds, during the first 7 to 15 days of the quarantine.

(2) In addition to the testing set out in point 1, the following samples shall be taken for virological examination: U.K.

(a)

cloacal swabs (or faeces) and tracheal/oropharyngeal swabs, if possible, from clinically ill birds or ill sentinel birds;

(b)

from the intestinal contents, brain, trachea, lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys and other obviously affected organs as soon as possible following the death from either:

(i)

dead sentinel birds and all birds dead on arrival and those which die during quarantine; or

(ii)

in the case of high mortality in small birds of large consignments from at least 10 % of the dead birds.

(3) All virological and serological testing of samples taken during quarantine must be carried out in official laboratories designated by the competent authority using diagnostic procedures in accordance with the diagnostic manual for avian influenza and the Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) for Newcastle disease. For virological examination pooling of samples up to a maximum of five samples of individual birds in one pool is allowed. Faecal material must be pooled separately from other organ and tissue samples. U.K.

(4) Virus isolates must be submitted to the national reference laboratory. U.K.