Procedures for Liquidation and Prevention of Danger of Epizootic Outbreaks

Issued pursuant to Section 26, Paragraph one
of the Veterinary Medicine Law

I. General Provisions

1. These Regulations determine prophylactic measures for epizootic diseases (Annex) and procedures for notification thereof, restrictions in the case of possible illness of domestic animals and wild animals reared on farms, a set of combating measures after the specification of quarantine, measures for liquidation and prevention of the danger of outbreaks if wild animals have become ill, animal transportation restrictions, procedures for disinfection and cleaning of means of transport, restrictions on obtaining products of animal origin and procedures for feeding waste of animal origin during the combating of diseases, and activities and duties of institutions and persons involved in disease combating measures.

2. If there is an outbreak of an epizootic disease (hereinafter - disease) (a situation when the illness of an animal is determined for the confirmation of which laboratory investigations are performed in the State Veterinary Medicine Diagnostic Centre in accordance with the methods prescribed by the Food and Veterinary Service (hereinafter - officially confirmed diagnosis), the State chief food and veterinary inspector of the Food and Veterinary Service shall inform the Prime Minister of a possible state of emergency in the State. If the outbreak of disease is close to the State border and the quarantined or infected zone comprises territories of two or more states, disease combating measures shall be taken observing the recommendations of the International Epizootic Office.

3. Supervision and control of these Regulations shall be performed by:

3.1. the Food and Veterinary Service in co-operation with the State Forest Service - if wild animals have become ill; and

3.2. the Food and Veterinary Service - if domestic animals and wild animals reared on farms have become ill.

4. During the combating of disease the Food and Veterinary Service shall:

4.1. in accordance with an instruction issued by the Minister for Agriculture examine and destroy animals, products of animal origin, animal feed, contaminated materials and objects which have been moved out of the infected holding (holding containing an infected animal) during the incubation period of the disease;

4.2. inform owners of the holding, animal traders, the press and other public information media, organisers of fairs and contests regarding the procedures to be observed during the combating of the disease;

4.3. establish a working group for planning of the disease combating measures, evaluation, forecasting and effective prevention of the spread of the disease; and

4.4. determine procedures by which the heads of territorial units of the Food and Veterinary Service shall inform the owners of animal holdings, undertakings (companies) processing products of animal origin and other persons involved in the disease combating process regarding orders and decisions taken, as well as determine control of the implementation thereof.

5. Washing and disinfection, sample taking for laboratory investigations, laboratory diagnosis and differential diagnosis, animal vaccination, sealing of means of transport or packaging of their cargo, creation of a holding register and storage of the relevant information, placement of animals in a holding after washing and disinfection, marking of vaccinated animals, destruction of infected feed or other contaminated materials and waste shall be controlled by a food and veterinary inspector of the territorial unit of the Food and Veterinary Service (hereinafter - inspector) in accordance with the instructions of the Minister for Agriculture.

II. Prophylactic Measures for Epizootic Diseases and Procedures for Notification Thereof

6. Prophylactic vaccination of animals against diseases is prohibited, except for vaccination against Newcastle disease. Poultry vaccinated against Newcastle disease shall be serologically examined, determining the intracerebral pathogenicity index.

7. Hyperimmune serum shall not be used for prophylaxis and combating of diseases.

8. Vaccinated animals shall be marked and moved within the boundaries of the vaccination territory, except for the cases referred to in these Regulations.

9. During an outbreak and the combating of diseases, an inspector shall organise:

9.1. liquidation of the dead bodies of animals, animal carcasses, products of animal origin and waste of animal origin. The disposal site for the dead bodies of animals shall be co-ordinated with the regional environmental board; and

9.2. liquidation of feed, droppings, manure or other contaminated materials.

10. An animal owner or a practising veterinarian shall notify the territorial unit of the Food and Veterinary Service without delay, but the relevant territorial unit shall notify the Food and Veterinary Service, as well as the district local government:

10.1. if there is suspicion of an outbreak of disease;

10.2. if animals have been determined which either directly or indirectly have come into contact with an agent of the disease and which show clinical signs of the disease (hereinafter - possibly diseased animals); and

10.3. of the pathological-anatomical autopsy results, which indirectly indicate to becoming ill with a certain disease.

11. Upon determining an animal possibly diseased with foot-and-mouth disease, the territorial unit of the Food and Veterinary Service shall within a period of two days provide written information to the territorial unit of the Public Health Agency, which shall include:

11.1. the place of determination of the disease; and

11.2. the measures taken to restrict the disease.

III. Measures in the Case of Possible Illness of Domestic Animals and Wild Animals Reared on Farms

12. After notification of the possible illness of animals an inspector shall ensure surveillance of those holdings, which contain possibly diseased animals and in which the agent of the disease has been brought from the infected holding by means of humans, animals or objects (hereinafter - possibly infected holding). A practising veterinarian who has entered into agreement with the head of a territorial unit of the Food and Veterinarian Service regarding the taking of specific counter-epizootic measures (hereinafter - veterinarian) shall:

12.1. perform a pathological-anatomical autopsy of the dead bodies of animals in order to clarify the diagnosis; and

12.2. take samples for laboratory investigation.

13. Live animals shall be sent to laboratories for clarification of the diagnosis. During transportation the necessary conditions for prevention of further spread of the disease shall be ensured.

14. The Food and Veterinary Service shall establish a crisis centre working group, which shall organise epizootiological enquiries and:

14.1. obtain information regarding duration of the animal illness period;

14.2. obtain information regarding the possible source of origin of the disease;

14.3. identify and register holdings and those animals, which upon coming into contact with an agent of disease may become ill (hereinafter - susceptible animal);

14.4. identify and register possibly infected holdings;

14.5. ascertain transportation routes and the destination of animals, persons, means of transport, meat, carcasses, products of animal origin, contaminated materials and objects; and

14.6. ascertain the presence and distribution of insects - disease transmitters - in the relevant territory infected with the disease.

15. In the holding where possibly diseased animals have been determined until the specification of quarantine, the inspector shall organise surveillance measures and ensure the implementation of the following requirements:

15.1. the veterinarian shall create a register of all animal species in the holding, taking into account the age and physiological groups of the animals. The register shall indicate the number of animals which have died, which show clinical signs of the disease, which show no clinical signs of the disease, and the number of animals born or chickens hatched during examination. The veterinarian shall examine the holding and update the register on a regular basis;

15.2. the animal owner is prohibited from moving animals outside their place of location, except for the cases if the veterinarian permits them to be placed in the territory of the holding on condition that the animals will not come into contact with other animals and insects - disease transmitters;

15.3. the animal owner is prohibited from moving susceptible animals into the territory of the farm or taking them out of it without permission of the veterinarian;

15.4. persons, animals, means of transport, meat, carcasses, animal feed, tools, waste, droppings, manure or contaminated products shall be moved into the holding or out of the holding if there is permission to do so from the veterinarian;

15.5. in accordance with the veterinarian's instructions, the owner shall place disinfection mats at the entrance and exit of the holding, which shall be saturated with disinfecting solutions affecting the relevant agent of the disease;

15.6. epizootiological inquiries in accordance with the requirements referred to in Paragraph 14 of these Regulations shall be performed;

15.7. if there is a suspicion of classical swine fever or African swine fever, the restrictions referred to in this Paragraph may also be applied to other animal species in the holding;

15.8. if within 15 days, a diagnosis of classical swine fever or African swine fever has not been officially confirmed, the animals may be moved to a slaughterhouse in order to slaughter them without delay. The meat obtained from such animals may be distributed after heat treatment, which guarantees the destruction of the agent of the disease;

15.9. if there is a suspicion of foot-and-mouth disease, it is prohibited to move out milk. In a holding where adequate milk storage conditions are not ensured milk shall be sent to a milk processing undertaking (company) for heat treatment with methods, which ensure destruction of the agent of the disease;

15.10. if there is a suspicion of Newcastle disease, eggs shall be sent to an egg product manufacturing undertaking (company). Poultry shall be sent to a slaughterhouse in order to slaughter them without delay;

15.11. if there is a suspicion of avian influenza, eggs shall be sent to an egg product manufacturing undertaking (company). Poultry shall be sent to a slaughterhouse in order to slaughter them without delay;

15.12. if there is a suspicion of African horse sickness, insects - disease transmitters - shall be destroyed in the holding and its vicinity; and

15.13. if there is a suspicion of swine vesicular disease, on the twenty-eighth day after sending the first samples for laboratory investigation the veterinarian shall take repeated samples.

16. The inspector may apply the measures referred to in Paragraph 15 of these Regulations to other holdings the layout or contact of which with the possibly infected holding directly endangers them or allows further spread of disease.

17. Surveillance measures to be taken if possibly diseased animals have been determined shall be revoked if laboratory investigations officially confirm that the animals are clinically healthy. If there is a suspicion of swine vesicular disease, measures shall be implemented until the requirements referred to in Sub-paragraph 15.13 of these Regulations are fulfilled.

IV. Disease Combating Measures after Specification of Quarantine

18. After delimitation of a quarantined territory the following measures in the infected holding shall be taken:

18.1. measures referred to in Paragraph 15 of these Regulations shall be taken;

18.2. all susceptible animals on the holding shall be slaughtered on the spot under veterinarian supervision. In slaughtering the animals, methods shall be chosen that ensure prevention of the further spread of disease and implementation of animal welfare requirements;

18.3. slaughtered and dead animals, as well as contaminated waste, materials and objects shall be liquidated to avoid the risk of the further spread of disease;

18.4. products of animal origin, hatching eggs, hatched chicken and new-born animals obtained during the period from invasion of the organism by the agent of the disease until the manifestation of the first clinical signs of disease (hereinafter - incubation period) shall be examined and liquidated to avoid the danger of the further spread of disease; and

18.5. after performance of the measures referred to in Sub-paragraphs 18.2 and 18.3 of these Regulations the holding, its vicinity, contaminated means of transport and equipment shall be washed and disinfected under supervision of the veterinarian.

19. After officially confirmed diagnosis regarding animal illness with African horse sickness, on holdings situated within a radius of 20 kilometres around the infected holding one of the following measures shall be taken:

19.1. the requirements specified in Paragraph 15 of these Regulations shall be applied, as well as all susceptible animals shall be vaccinated and marked; or

19.2. taking into account geographical, ecological and meteorological conditions, as well as animal movement intensity and the speed and course of spreading of disease in the relevant territory, the requirements specified in Paragraph 18 of these Regulations shall be applied.

20. An inspector may apply the set of measures referred to in Paragraph 18 of these Regulations to other holdings the layout or contact of which in relation to the infected holding directly endangers them or allows the further spread of disease.

21. In a holding which contains two or more separated herds of animals and possible illness of animals in one of them is not observed or the official laboratory investigations do not confirm it, restrictions and disease combating measures for the herd not affected by disease may be not imposed if:

21.1. separate keeping, care, milking and feeding of animals is ensured, preventing the further spread of disease; and

21.2. measures to be taken in the protection zone are applied to the herd not affected by disease.

22. On the basis of a decision of the Emergency Situation State Operational Committee, the Food and Veterinary Service shall organise the demarcation of the quarantined territory. The following shall be determined therein:

22.1. a protection zone, the radius of which shall not be less than three kilometres and a surveillance zone the radius of which shall not be less than 10 kilometres if an outbreak of Newcastle disease, avian influenza, foot-and-mouth disease, classical swine fever, African swine fever, swine vesicular disease, vesicular stomatitis, rinderpest, peste des petits ruminants, lumpy skin disease, Rift Valley fever, bluetongue, sheep and goat pox, Teschen disease, epizootic haemorrhagic disease of deer is determined; and

22.2. a protection zone the radius of which shall be at least 100 kilometres and a surveillance zone the radius of which shall be at least 150 kilometres if African horse sickness is determined.

23. In holdings situated in the protection zone the following requirements shall be observed:

23.1. if there is an outbreak of African swine fever or classical swine fever, the animals shall be moved outside the protection zone if 21 days have elapsed after mechanical cleaning, washing and disinfection of the infected holding. Clinically healthy animals, disregarding the specified 21-day restriction, may be moved to a slaughterhouse within the protection or surveillance zone or a holding within the protection zone;

23.2. if there is an outbreak of Newcastle disease or avian influenza, the poultry which are intended to be slaughtered without delay outside the holding may be moved to a slaughterhouse situated in the protection or surveillance zone;

23.3. if there is an outbreak of Newcastle disease, day-old chicks and ready-to-lay pullets may be moved:

23.3.1. to a holding situated in the surveillance zone if there is no poultry holding in this territory;

23.3.2. outside the protection and surveillance zone, ensuring surveillance of the moved poultry. If in the holding from which poultry are transported possible illness of poultry is determined or official laboratory investigations confirm it, then during the next 21 days the poultry placed in the holding situated outside the protection and surveillance zones may be moved to a slaughterhouse to have them immediately slaughtered;

23.4. if there is an outbreak of Newcastle disease and avian influenza, hatching eggs may be moved to a hatchery if illness has not been determined in the poultry and prior to transportation eggs and their packaging are disinfected;

23.5. if there is an outbreak of avian influenza, day-old chicks and ready-to-lay pullets may be moved to a holding within the surveillance zone if there is no poultry holding located in this territory and the poultry moved out is subjected to surveillance. If in the holding from which the poultry was transported possible illness of the poultry is determined or the official laboratory investigations confirm it, then during the next 21 days the poultry from the holding where they were placed may be moved to a slaughterhouse in order to slaughter them without delay;

23.6. if there is an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, animals may be moved outside the holding if at least 15 days have elapsed since the specification of the protection zone. If no clinically diseased animals have been determined in the holding, they may be sent to a slaughterhouse within the protection or surveillance zone, disregarding the 15-day term;

23.7. if there is an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, during the first 15 days after specification of the protection zone, animal insemination is prohibited if sperm delivered before the officially confirmed diagnosis or sperm delivered directly from an artificial insemination centre is not utilised in insemination;

23.8. if there is an outbreak of African horse sickness:

23.8.1. clinically healthy animals may be sent to a holding within the protection or surveillance zone; and

23.8.2. animals shall be vaccinated in accordance with the requirements specified in Sub-paragraph 19.1 of these Regulations;

23.9. if there is an outbreak of peste des petits ruminants, rinderpest, bluetongue, epizootic haemorrhagic disease of deer, sheep and goat pox, vesicular stomatitis, Teschen disease, Rift Valley fever, lumpy skin disease, clinically healthy animals may be moved to a slaughterhouse situated within the protection or surveillance zone;

23.10. if there is an outbreak of swine vesicular disease:

23.10.1. pigs from a holding may be moved within the boundaries of the quarantined territory if at least 21 days have elapsed since the cleaning, washing and disinfection of the infected holding; and

23.10.2. animals on the holdings situated in the protection zone are serologically examined. Examination shall be continued for at least 28 days after the cleaning, washing and disinfection of the infected holding.

24. Disease combating measures in the protection zone shall be revoked if the final washing and disinfecting of the infected holding is performed and after disinfection:

24.1. at least 21 days have elapsed in the case of an outbreak of rinderpest, peste des petits ruminants, sheep and goat pox, vesicular stomatitis, Newcastle disease and avian influenza;

24.2. at least 28 days have elapsed in the case of an outbreak of lumpy skin disease;

24.3. at least 40 days have elapsed in the case of an outbreak of bluetongue, epizootic haemorrhagic disease of deer and Teschen disease;

24.4. at least 30 days have elapsed in the case of an outbreak of Rift Valley fever;

24.5. at least 30 days have elapsed in the case of an outbreak of classical swine fever or African swine fever. This period may be extended in order to perform clinical examination of pigs in all holdings situated within the protection zone and to take samples for serological investigations;

24.6. at least 15 days have elapsed in the case of an outbreak of food-and-mouth disease; and

24.7. at least 12 months have elapsed in the case of an outbreak of African horse sickness. This period may be shortened if animals have been vaccinated in accordance with Sub-paragraph 19.1 of these Regulations.

25. After the determination of swine vesicular disease, disease-combating measures in the protection zone shall be revoked if:

25.1. the infected holding has been washed and disinfected;

25.2. all pigs have been clinically examined and do not show any signs of illness; and

25.3. selective samples for serological investigation have been taken and the results obtained are negative.

26. The institutions referred to in regulatory enactments regarding civil defence and Emergency Situation Operational Committee, which institutions are involved in the operative management of emergency situations and emergency response and the animal owner shall ensure fulfilment of the following requirements in the protection and surveillance zones:

26.1. the Food and Veterinary Service shall:

26.1.1. identify susceptible animal holdings and compile a register of the relevant data;

26.1.2. perform regular examinations of susceptible animal holdings and clinical investigation of animals;

26.1.3. ensure the input of data into the register and storage thereof;

26.1.4. organise sample taking for laboratory investigations and input of their results in the register;

26.1.5. take measures related to confirmation of the diagnosis of a disease if a special notification regarding animal illness has been received from an animal owner;

26.1.6. organise disinfection of means of transport and the equipment thereof used for transportation of animals, products of animal origin, animal feed, contaminated materials and waste and ensure control thereof on the border of the zone; and

26.1.7. prohibit the organisation of animal fairs, sales or shows;

26.2. the animal owner shall be responsible:

26.2.1. for holding of animals at their place of location or isolation in the territory of the holding so that there is no contact with other animals and insects - disease transmitters;

26.2.2. for the placing of disinfection mats at the entry and exit of the holding. In accordance with the instructions of the veterinarian mats shall be saturated with a disinfecting solution, which shall destroy the relevant agent of the infectious disease;

26.2.3. that bedding, droppings or manure are not moved or dispersed without permission of the veterinarian;

26.2.4. that animals are not moved without permission of the veterinarian;

26.2.5. for the provision of information (orally, by telephone) to the inspector or veterinarian regarding all dead or diseased animals; and

26.2.6. for mechanical cleaning, washing and disinfection of means of transport and their equipment used for the transportation of animals, products of animal origin, waste, contaminated materials and animal feed in accordance with the instructions of the veterinarian;

26.3. The Traffic Police shall:

26.3.1. control compliance of the movement of means of transport used for transportation of animals, products of animal origin, waste, contaminated materials, transportation of animals and products referred to, to the requirements specified, as well as examine veterinary accompanying documents; and

26.3.2. prohibit transportation of susceptible animals through the protection zone, except for transportation in transit, by railways and truck roads if unloading of animals and stopping in this zone is not intended. Animals may be moved within the boundaries of the holding.

27. In holdings situated in the surveillance zone the following requirements shall be met:

27.1. if there is an outbreak of African swine fever or classical swine fever:

27.1.1. during the first seven days after specification of the surveillance zone it is prohibited to move animals of any species; and

27.1.2. pigs may be moved to a slaughterhouse situated in the protection or surveillance zone or a holding situated in the protection zone if at least seven days have elapsed since the washing and disinfection of the holding;

27.2. if there is an outbreak of Newcastle disease or avian influenza:

27.2.1. during the first 15 days after specification of the surveillance zone, it is prohibited to move poultry out of this territory, except for the cases when they are moved to a slaughterhouse; and

27.2.2. hatching eggs may be transported to a hatchery outside the zone if prior to transportation eggs and their packaging are disinfected;

27.3. if there is an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, during the first 15 days after specification of the surveillance zone it is prohibited to move animals outside the holding. During the time period between the fifteenth and thirtieth day clinically healthy animals may be moved to a slaughterhouse;

27.4. if there is an outbreak of African horse sickness:

27.4.1. clinically healthy animals may be sent to a slaughterhouse situated in the protection or surveillance zone; and

27.4.2. vaccination of animals in the surveillance zone is prohibited unless the measures referred to in Sub-paragraph 19.1 of these Regulations are applied;

27.5. if there is an outbreak of peste des petits ruminants, rinderpest, bluetongue, epizootic haemorrhagic disease of deer, sheep and goat pox, vesicular stomatitis, Teschen disease, Rift Valley fever, lumpy skin disease, it is prohibited to move animals outside this zone during the incubation period specified in the Annex to these Regulations. After the end of the incubation period clinically healthy animals may be moved to a slaughterhouse;

27.6. if there is an outbreak of swine vesicular disease:

27.6.1. pigs may be moved to a slaughterhouse or a holding situated in the surveillance zone if, 21 days prior to the move, no pig has been placed in the holding; and

27.6.2. clinically healthy pigs may be moved outside the surveillance zone if, 24 hours before the move, all animals on the holding have been clinically examined and they are healthy, as well as if, at least 14 days before the expected move, serological investigations of selected pigs to be moved have been performed and the results obtained are negative.

28. After washing and disinfection of the infected holding the measures specified in the surveillance zone shall be revoked if:

28.1. at least 21 days have elapsed in the case of an outbreak of rinderpest, peste des petits ruminants, sheep and goat pox and vesicular stomatitis;

28.2. at least 28 days have elapsed in the case of an outbreak of lumpy skin disease;

28.3. at least 40 days have elapsed in the case of an outbreak of bluetongue disease, epizootic haemorrhagic disease of deer and Teschen disease;

28.4. at least 30 days have elapsed in the case of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, Rift Valley fever, Newcastle disease and avian influenza;

28.5. at least 15 days have elapsed in the case of an outbreak of classical swine fever or African swine fever. During this period pigs in all holdings of the zone shall be examined and selective samples for serological investigations shall be taken; and

28.6. at least 12 months have elapsed in the case of an outbreak of African horse sickness. This period may be shortened if the vaccination measures referred to in Sub-paragraph 19.1 of these Regulations are taken.

29. During an outbreak of swine vesicular disease the measures determined in the surveillance zone shall be revoked if the following measures have been taken:

29.1. cleaning, washing and disinfection measures of the infected holding; and

29.2. surveillance measures in the protection zone.

30. If diseases which are transmitted by means of insects - disease transmitters - are determined, the Food and Veterinary Service, taking into account the spread and course of development of disease shall submit to the Ministry of Agriculture proposals regarding:

30.1. duration of restrictions in the protection and surveillance zone; and

30.2. placement of susceptible animals in the infected holding.

31. If measures in the surveillance zone take longer than in the protection zone then upon termination of restrictions in the protection zone, restrictions of the surveillance zone shall be applied in this territory henceforth.

32. If there is an outbreak of African swine disease or classical swine disease, animals shall be placed in the infected holding not earlier than 30 days after washing and disinfection, observing the following procedures:

32.1. in a holding, where animals are held in pens, 50% of the piglets to be placed in the holding shall be serologically investigated to determine the presence of classical swine fever antibodies on the twenty-first and forty-second day after arrival. If the results are negative the remaining animals may be added;

32.2. in a holding where animals are not held in pens:

32.2.1. the procedures prescribed in Sub-paragraph 32.1 of these Regulations may be observed;

32.2.2. all animals, which are brought from holdings outside the protection or surveillance zone within a period of eight days, may be placed in the holding at once. Within a period of 60 days after arrival of the last animal no pig shall be placed in the holding, and within a period of 30 days the whole herd shall be serologically examined.

33. If there is an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, Newcastle disease, avian influenza, rinderpest, peste des petits ruminants, bluetongue, epizootic haemorrhagic disease of deer, sheep and goat pox, vesicular stomatitis, Teschen disease, lumpy skin disease, Rift Valley fever, animals shall be placed in the infected holding not earlier than 21 days after the cleaning, washing and disinfection of the infected holding.

34. If there is an outbreak of swine vesicular disease, susceptible animals shall be placed in the infected holding, observing the following conditions: the holding shall be washed and disinfected three times and after the first washing and disinfection at least four weeks have elapsed. After completion of the measures referred to, taking into account the system of pig keeping, piglets shall be placed in the holding in the following order:

34.1. in holdings where animals are kept in pens 50% of the piglets to be placed in the holding shall be serologically investigated to determine the presence of swine vesicular disease antibodies before the placement and on the twenty-eighth day after placement. The remaining pigs shall be placed in the holding if results of serological investigations are negative;

34.2. if pigs are reared differently than specified in Sub-paragraph 34.1 of these Regulations:

34.2.1. the herd may be repopulated in accordance with the procedures prescribed by Sub-paragraph 34.1 of these Regulations; or

34.2.2. all pigs, which are transported from holdings outside the protection or surveillance zone within a period of eight days, may be placed in the holding at once if the results of serological investigations are negative. At least 60 days after arrival of the last pig no pig shall be placed in the holding but the repopulated herd shall be serologically examined within a period of 28 days after arrival of the last pig.

35. If there is an outbreak of African horse sickness, animals shall be placed in the infected holding in accordance with the requirements specified in Paragraph 5 of these Regulations, as well as after liquidation of insects - disease transmitters.

36. If during laboratory investigations it is determined that the intracerebral pathogenicity index of a strain of Newcastle disease virus is greater than 0.7 and lower than 1.2 and therefore is it impossible to determine the illness or vaccination consequences (if attenuated life vaccine is used in vaccination), the inspector may apply to the holding the restrictions prescribed by Sub-paragraphs 15.1, 15.2, 15.4, 15.5 and 15.10 of these Regulations for 30 days.

37. If there is an officially confirmed diagnosis of Newcastle disease, a vaccination territory around the infected poultry holding shall be determined where compulsory vaccination of poultry shall be performed:

37.1. to poultry of certain categories if they are not kept in the holding where the restrictions referred to in Paragraph 15 have been specified; and

37.2. to poultry hatched or moved into the vaccination territory.

38. Poultry vaccinated against Newcastle disease may not be moved outside the vaccination territory in the following cases:

38.1. if day-old chicks after placement in another holding are not vaccinated; and

38.2. if poultry are intended to be sent to a slaughterhouse within the vaccination territory. Clinically healthy poultry may be sent outside the vaccination territory.

39. If compulsory vaccination of poultry against Newcastle disease is discontinued, the following may be moved outside the vaccination territory:

39.1. day-old chicks intended for meat production to a holding where they shall be vaccinated. Until sending to a slaughterhouse the poultry shall be subjected to surveillance;

39.2. poultry vaccinated at least 21 days before its dispatch to a slaughterhouse;

39.3. hatching eggs, which originate from poultry vaccinated at least 21 days before egg collection. Before sending the hatching eggs and their packaging shall be disinfected.

40. Restrictions specified in Sub-paragraph 37.2 and Paragraph 39 of these Regulations shall be in force at least for three months.

41. The Food and Veterinary Service may specify the poultry species, which shall be used for scientific research and shall not be subjected to compulsory vaccination against Newcastle disease, ensuring periodical serological control of such poultry.

42. If the possible illness of pigeons and wild birds kept in captivity with Newcastle disease is determined, the inspector shall ensure surveillance of the possibly infected holding, as well as that:

42.1. no bird or other virus transmitters are placed in the holding;

42.2. the veterinarian takes measures related to determination of diagnosis; and

42.3. restrictions are retained while there is a suspicion of the illness of the birds or until officially performed laboratory investigations (laboratory investigation performed in the State Veterinary Medicine Diagnostic Centre) indicate that the birds are healthy.

43. If the officially confirmed diagnosis indicates that wild birds or pigeons kept in captivity have contracted Newcastle disease, the inspector shall ensure surveillance of the infected holding, as well as the performance of epizootiological enquiries in accordance with Paragraph 14 of these Regulations and shall take one of the following measures:

43.1. apply the requirements prescribed in Sub-paragraphs 18.2, 18.3 and 18.5 of these Regulations. Birds may be placed in the infected holding 21 days after the washing and disinfection of the holding; or

43.2. 60 days after the determination of the last clinical signs it is prohibited to release birds outside the holding. During this period the owner shall disinfect and liquidate all contaminated materials, objects and waste to prevent further spread of disease.

44. If the officially confirmed diagnosis confirms that animals have contracted African swine fever or classical swine fever, a vaccination territory shall be determined and compulsory vaccination of animals shall be commenced. It is prohibited to move pigs outside the vaccination territory, except for the case when they are moved to a slaughterhouse situated in the vicinity of such territory.

45. Vaccination against African swine fever or classical swine fever shall be performed for not less than six months and during this period:

45.1. animals the results of whose serological investigations are positive may be sent to a slaughterhouse to have them immediately slaughtered; and

45.2. piglets obtained from serologically positive sows may be sent to a slaughterhouse or a holding specified by the veterinarian from which they shall be sent to a slaughterhouse after fattening. Piglets intended for rearing may be sent to a slaughterhouse if they have been serologically examined and the results are negative.

46. If the officially confirmed diagnosis confirms that animals have contracted rinderpest, peste des petits ruminants, swine vesicular disease, bluetongue, epizootic haemorrhagic disease of deer, sheep and goat pox, vesicular stomatitis, Teschen disease, lumpy skin disease or Rift Valley fever, a vaccination territory shall be determined and compulsory vaccination of animals shall be commenced. Moving of animals outside the vaccination territory is prohibited, except for the case when they are sent to a slaughterhouse situated in the vicinity of such territory.

47. If the diseases referred to in Paragraph 46 of these Regulations are determined, vaccination of animals in holdings, where the restrictions referred to in Paragraph 15 of these Regulations are imposed, is prohibited.

48. If in epizootiological inquiries during the combating of Newcastle disease and avian influenza it is determined that the agent of the disease from a possibly infected or infected holding is transferred to another holding:

48.1. the measures prescribed in Sub-paragraphs 15.1, 15.2, 15.3, 15.4, 15.5 and 15.6 of these Regulations shall be taken therein. Restrictions may be applied to a separate part of the holding if poultry are kept, fed and taken care of in another part of the holding; and

48.2. it is prohibited to move poultry therefrom if since transmission of the agent 21 days have not elapsed, except for the case when clinically healthy poultry are sent to a slaughterhouse.

49. If in epizootiological inquiries during the combating of foot-and-mouth disease the following is determined:

49.1. a holding from which the agent of the disease is transmitted to a possibly infected holding and is spread further, the measures specified in Sub-paragraphs 15.1, 15.2, 15.3, 15.4, 15.5 and 15.6 of these Regulations shall be taken in the relevant holdings. Within the next 15 days clinically healthy animals from such holdings may be sent to a slaughterhouse. Restrictions may be imposed on a separate part of the holding if animals are kept, fed and taken care of in another part of the holding;

49.2. that the agent of the disease has been brought to the infected holding from another holding, the measures referred to in Sub-paragraphs 15.1, 15.2, 15.3, 15.4, 15.5 and 15.6 of these Regulations shall be taken in the relevant holding. Within the next 15 days clinically healthy animals may be sent to a slaughterhouse. Restrictions may be imposed on a separate part of the holding if animals are kept, fed and taken care of in another part of the holding; or

49.3. that the agent of the disease from the infected holding is transmitted to another holding, the measures referred to in Sub-paragraphs 15.1, 15.2, 15.3, 15.4, 15.5 and 15.6 of these Regulations shall be taken in the relevant holding. Within the next 21 days clinically healthy animals may be sent to a slaughterhouse.

50. If in the epizootiological inquiries during the combating of rinderpest, peste des petits ruminants, bluetongue, epizootic haemorrhagic disease of deer, sheep and goat pox, vesicular stomatitis, Teschen disease, lumpy skin disease or Rift Valley fever it is determined that the agent of the disease:

50.1. has been brought to the possibly infected holding from other holdings and spread further, then in the holdings from which the agent of the disease was brought or to which it was transmitted the measures referred to in Sub-paragraphs 15.1, 15.2, 15.3, 15.4, 15.5 and 15.6 of these Regulations shall be taken and restrictions shall be removed if officially performed laboratory investigations confirm that the animals are healthy. Restrictions may be imposed on a separate part of the holding if animals are kept, fed and taken care of in another part of the holding; or

50.2. has been brought to the infected holding from other holdings and spread further, then in the holdings from which the agent of the disease was brought or to which it has been transmitted the measures referred to in Sub-paragraphs 15.1, 15.2, 15.3, 15.4, 15.5 and 15.6 of these Regulations shall be taken and restrictions shall be removed not earlier than at the end of the incubation period of the disease. Restrictions may be imposed on a separate part of the holding if animals are kept, fed and taken care of in another part of the holding.

51. If in the epizootiological inquiries during combating measures of swine vesicular disease it is determined that the agent of the disease has been brought from the infected or possibly infected holding to another holding, then pigs which have been sent to this holding shall be moved to a slaughterhouse situated in the protection or surveillance zone or a holding situated in the protection zone.

52. Restrictions prescribed in Paragraph 51 of these Regulations shall be removed after 28 days if serological investigations have provided negative results. In the holding during this period:

52.1. animals shall be clinically examined; and

52.2. selective samples for serological investigation shall be taken.

53. If in the epizootiological inquiries during the combating of African swine fever or classical swine fever it is determined that the agent of the disease:

53.1. has been brought to the possibly infected holding from another holding and transmitted further, then in the relevant holdings the measures referred to in Sub-paragraphs 15.1, 15.2, 15.3, 15.4, 15.5 and 15.6 of these Regulations shall be taken and restrictions shall be removed if officially performed laboratory investigations confirm that the animals are healthy. Restrictions may be imposed on a separate part of the holding if animals are kept, fed and taken care of in another part of the holding;

53.2. has been brought to the infected holding from another holding, then in the relevant holding the measures referred to in Sub-paragraphs 15.1, 15.2, 15.3, 15.4, 15.5 and 15.6 of these Regulations shall be taken and restrictions shall be removed if officially performed laboratory investigations confirm that the animals are healthy. Restrictions may be imposed on a separate part of the holding if animals are kept, fed and taken care of in another part of the holding; or

53.3. has been transmitted from the infected holding to another holding, then in the relevant holdings the measures referred to in Sub-paragraphs 15.1, 15.2, 15.3, 15.4, 15.5 and 15.6 of these Regulations shall be taken and restrictions shall be removed if officially performed laboratory investigations confirm that the animals are healthy.

V. Measures for Liquidation and Prevention of Danger of Disease Outbreaks and Hunting Regulations if Wild Animals Have Become Ill

54. If there is a suspicion of wild animals becoming ill with the diseases referred to in the Annex to these Regulations, the practising veterinarian or hunter shall notify the Food and Veterinary Service, but the Food and Veterinary Service shall notify the owner of domestic animals and leaders of hunter groups respectively, as well as organise laboratory examination of all animals which have died, and also shot animals.

55. After an officially confirmed diagnosis regarding illness of wild animals with any of the diseases referred to in the Annex to these Regulations, action shall be taken in accordance with the requirements prescribed in Paragraph 2 of these Regulations. The State chief food and veterinary inspector, taking into account animal migration and climatic and geographic conditions, shall submit proposals to the Emergency Situation State Operative Committee regarding specification of an infected territory at the place where the diseased animal was found.

56. The crisis centre working group established by the Food and Veterinary Service shall organise epizootiological enquiries in order to obtain information regarding the following:

56.1. all animals which have died, and also shot susceptible animals;

56.2. the geographical district in which susceptible animals were shot or found dead;

56.3. the date when susceptible animals were shot or found dead;

56.4. the person who shot or found dead susceptible animals;

56.5. sex and approximate age of susceptible animals;

56.6. symptoms of the disease before the shooting of susceptible animals;

56.7. state of the dead body if dead animals were found; and

56.8. results of laboratory investigations.

57. In the infected territory the inspector in co-operation with employees of the State Forest Service shall:

57.1. investigate the distribution of the susceptible animal population;

57.2. determine large natural or human-created obstacles in the way of the movement routes of susceptible animals;

57.3. determine the approximate number of susceptible animals, size and number of their groups;

57.4. organise pathological-anatomical and laboratory examination of shot susceptible animals or susceptible animals, which have died;

57.5. organise reduction of the susceptible animal population;

57.6. perform explanatory work regarding the significance of disease combating measures;

57.7. ensure surveillance of those holdings where susceptible animals are kept; and

57.8. organise epizootiological enquiries in accordance with the requirements prescribed in Paragraph 56 of these Regulations.

58. After an officially confirmed diagnosis regarding illness of animals in the infected territory, all dead bodies of wild animals shall be serologically examined and if positive results are determined they shall be liquidated as high risk material.

59. Animals shot in the infected territory shall undergo:

59.1. serological investigation. If serologically positive results are determined, the shot animal shall be liquidated as high risk material; and

59.2. veterinary expert-examination. If during expert-examination no signs characteristic of the diseases referred to in the Annex are determined, the meat may be used for human consumption.

60. The inspector shall ensure surveillance of the holdings in the infected territory, as well as:

60.1. registration and identification thereof;

60.2. creation of a register of holdings, which shall list susceptible animals and their categories;

60.3. regular visits by the veterinarian to the relevant holdings and updating of the register data;

60.4. isolation of animals in the holding to prevent their contact with wild animals or insects - disease transmitters;

60.5. moving of animals outside the holding by permission of the veterinarian only;

60.6. that the owner of the holding takes all the necessary protection measures and prevents wild animals from getting into the holding or accessing objects by means of which the agent of the disease could get into the holding and cause illness of the animals;

60.7. place mats saturated with disinfecting solution at the entry and exit of the holding in order to destroy the agents of infectious diseases;

60.8. that the veterinarian performs laboratory investigation (takes samples) of those animals, which show signs of illness or which have died; and

60.9. that there are no wild animals, which have died or shot wild animals or parts thereof in the territory of the holding.

VI. Restrictions on Obtaining Products of Animal Origin During Disease Combating Period

61. Animals which arrive at a slaughterhouse from possibly infected holdings or holdings situated in the surveillance zone:

61.1. shall be isolated from other animals in the slaughterhouse; and

61.2. shall be immediately slaughtered separately from healthy animals.

62. After the slaughter of the animals referred to in Paragraph 61 of these Regulations, the premises, installations and equipment of the slaughterhouse shall be mechanically cleaned, washed and disinfected with products that destroy the agent of the disease.

63. In a slaughterhouse where disease has been determined, the inspector shall impose restrictions and ensure:

63.1. that all animals are immediately slaughtered;

63.2. that slaughter products and products, which have come into contact with diseased animals or their slaughter products are liquidated and that the spread of the agent of the disease is not allowed;

63.3. mechanical cleaning, washing and disinfection of all materials, objects, means of transport, buildings and equipment contaminated with the agent of the disease;

63.4. performance of epizootiological inquiries in accordance with the requirements prescribed by Paragraph 14 of these Regulations; and

63.5. that no susceptible animal is placed in the holding earlier than 24 hours after washing and disinfection thereof.

64. Eggs from a holding possibly infected with Newcastle disease or avian influenza may be sent to an egg product manufacturing undertaking (company) if they are:

64.1. packed and the packaging is sealed in accordance with the requirements specified in Paragraph 5 of these Regulations;

64.2. clean, with developed and unbroken shells and have not been subjected to the incubation process; or

64.3. broken but their utilisation is ensured not later than on the next day after sorting.

65. An egg product manufacturing undertaking (company) may process eggs delivered from a holding possibly infected with Newcastle disease or avian influenza if:

65.1. they are isolated from other eggs;

65.2. the obtained shells and egg membranes are collected and processed as high risk material;

65.3. packaging material, as well as means of transport are mechanically cleaned, washed and disinfected with products which liquidate the agents of Newcastle disease or avian influenza; and

65.4. premises of the undertaking (company), as well as all materials and objects, which have come into contact with possibly infected eggs, are mechanically cleaned, washed and disinfected with products which liquidate the agents of the disease.

VII. Procedures for Feeding Food Waste of Animal Origin During Disease Combating Period

66. Food waste of animal origin, which has been collected from international means of transport during disease combating period, may be fed to animals after heat-treatment, which ensures destruction of the agent of the disease. Food waste shall be fed to pigs which after fattening shall be sent to a slaughterhouse.

67. Food waste of animal origin shall be collected, transported and heat-treated under supervision of the veterinarian. During transportation the means of transport shall be sealed preventing the products referred to from getting into the surrounding environment.

68. After transportation of food waste of animal origin the means of transport and its equipment shall be mechanically cleaned, washed and disinfected by products, which destroy the agent of the disease.

69. Food waste of animal origin shall be heat-treated in a holding with separate premises for storage of heat-treated and untreated food waste of animal origin. These premises shall be easy to wash, clean and disinfect.

VIII. Transportation Restrictions and Procedures for Cleaning and Disinfection of Means of Transport

70. When transporting animals during the disease combating period it shall be necessary to obtain a veterinary certificate issued by the veterinarian or inspector. When transporting products of animal origin, a veterinary expert-examination certificate shall be required.

71. Before and after transportation the means of transport used for transportation of animals, products of animal origin, animal feed, waste or contaminated materials, their rolling stock and contaminated equipment shall be mechanically cleaned, washed and disinfected with products destroying the agent of the disease.

72. Animals, products of animal origin, animal feed, waste or contaminated materials shall be loaded and unloaded under the supervision of a veterinarian.

73. Before transportation of animals, products of animal origin, contaminated materials, waste or animal feed the means of transport shall be sealed in accordance with the requirements specified in Paragraph 5 of these Regulations. During transportation seals may not be removed.

74. Transportation shall be permitted if:

74.1. the inspector who supervises animals, products of animal origin, contaminated materials, waste or animal feed has informed the inspector who supervises the slaughterhouse, holding, undertaking (company) of products of animal origin, hatchery or waste of animal origin processing undertaking (company);

74.2. prior to transportation all animals on the holding have been clinically investigated and no signs of illness have been determined;

74.3. all animals to be transported can be identified and are marked; and

74.4. all vaccinated animals are marked in accordance with the requirements specified in Paragraph 5 of these Regulations.

Prime Minister A. Bērziņš

Acting for the Minister for Agriculture,
Minister for the Interior M. Segliņš

Annex
Cabinet Regulation No. 127
19 March 2002

List of Epizootic Diseases

Acting for the Minister for Agriculture,
Minister for the Interior M. Segliņš

Translation © 2003 Tulkošanas un terminoloģijas centrs (Translation and Terminology Centre)