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Completely free of avian influenza

COLOMBO, August 31, 2004 - The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is pleased to announce that the United States is completely free of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).

The Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the USDA has informed the World organisation for Animal health (OIE) that the strain of the Avian Influenza virus detected in one non-commercial flock in Texas, has been completely eradicated. Immediate measures were implemented by the USDA to ensure the rapid and total eradication of the virus when it was detected in February 2004. Six months have lapsed since the detection, eradication, cleaning and disinfection of all premises were completed. Targeted and extensive surveillance has not detected any indication of the virus, states a US Embassy press release.

The USDA has confirmed that in accordance with OIE guidelines, the US meets all OIE criteria to be considered completely free of the Avian Flu virus. the US Embassy has requested the Government of Sri Lanka to lift the ban on US poultry products into Sri Lanka by the local authorities. US federal regulations ensure exports of poultry products conform to stringent levels of quality and safety.

The Embassy supports bilateral trade efforts and expects increased imports of US poultry products to Sri Lanka to have positive impact on the choice available to consumers.

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