CHAPTER II

PREVENTIVE BIOSECURITY, SURVEILLANCE, NOTIFICATIONS AND EPIDEMIOLOGICAL INQUIRIES

Preventive biosecurity measures
Article 3
Specific provisions concerning preventive biosecurity measures may be established in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 64(2).

Surveillance programmes
Article 4
1
Member States shall carry out surveillance programmes in order to:
a
detect the prevalence of infections with avian influenza virus subtypes H5 and H7 in different species of poultry;
b
contribute, on the basis of a regularly updated risk assessment, to the knowledge on the threats posed by wild birds in relation to any influenza virus of avian origin in birds.
2
The surveillance programmes referred to in paragraph 1(a) shall comply with guidelines to be drawn up by the Commission in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 64(2).

Notification
Article 5
1
Member States shall ensure that the suspected presence and presence of avian influenza are compulsorily and immediately notified to the competent authority.
2
In addition to the requirements provided for in Community legislation on notification of outbreaks of animal diseases, Member States shall notify the Commission in accordance with Annex II of any avian influenza confirmed by the competent authority in slaughterhouses, means of transport, border inspection posts and other places at Community borders and quarantine facilities or centres operating in accordance with Community legislation on imports of poultry or other captive birds.
3
Member States shall notify the results of any surveillance for avian influenza virus carried out in mammals.

Epidemiological inquiry
Article 6
1
Member States shall ensure that epidemiological inquiries are started on the basis of questionnaires, established within the framework of the contingency plans provided for in Article 62.
2
The epidemiological inquiry shall include the following at least:
a
the length of time during which avian influenza may have been present on the holding or other premises or means of transport;
b
the possible origin of avian influenza;
c
the identification of any contact holding;
d
the movements of poultry, other captive birds, persons, mammals, vehicles or any material or other means by which the avian influenza virus could have spread.
3
The competent authority shall take account of the epidemiological inquiry when:
a
deciding whether additional disease control measures, as provided for in this Directive need to be applied; and
b
granting derogations as provided for in this Directive.
4
If the epidemiological inquiry suggests that avian influenza may have spread from or to other Member States, the Commission and the other Member States concerned shall be immediately informed of the results of all findings of the inquiry.