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 3(2) are applied to contact holdings until the presence of HPAI has been excluded.

Based on the epidemiological inquiry, the competent authority may apply the measures provided for in Article 7 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 7 in contact holdings are set out in Annex IV to Directive 2005/94/EC.

The competent authority shall ensure that samples are taken from poultry and other captive birds when they are killed in order to confirm or exclude the presence of HPAI virus in those contact holdings.

The competent authority shall ensure that, on any holding where poultry or other captive birds are killed and disposed of and avian influenza is subsequently confirmed, the buildings 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 cleaning and disinfection with instructions given by the official veterinarian.