
Article 1 
The surveillance programmes for avian influenza in poultry and wild birds to be carried out by Member States, in accordance with Article 4(1) of Directive 2005/94/EC, shall comply with the guidelines set out in Annexes I and II to this Decision.
Article 2 
Decision 2004/450/EC is amended as follows:

1.. in Article 1, the following point (c) is added:
'
((c)) in respect of the animal disease referred to in Annex I, Part C, at least the information set out in Annex IV.';
2.. in Annex I, the following Part C is added:
'
PART C 
avian influenza.
';
3.. A new Annex IV, the text of which is set out in Annex III to the present Decision, is added.
Article 3 
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.
Done at Brussels, 13 April 2007.
For the Commission
Markos KYPRIANOU
Member of the Commission
ANNEX I
A.  A.1. 
Serological surveillance for LPAI subtypes H5 and H7 in poultry shall aim at:


1.. Detecting sub-clinical infections with LPAI of subtypes H5 and H7 thereby complementing early detection systems and subsequently preventing possible mutation of these viruses to HPAI.
2.. Detecting infections of LPAI H5 and H7 subtypes in specifically targeted poultry populations at specific risk for infection due to their husbandry system or the susceptibility of specific species.
3.. Contributing to the demonstration of a free status of a certain country, region or compartment from notifiable avian influenza in the frame of international trade according to OIE rules.
 A.2.  1. Sampling shall not extend beyond 31 December of the year of implementation of the programme. For poultry, sampling shall cover a period appropriate to production periods for each poultry category as required.
 2. In order to save resources, samples collected for other purposes are recommended.
 3. Testing of samples shall be carried out at national laboratories for avian influenza (NL) in Member States or by other laboratories authorised by the competent authorities and under the control of the NL.
 4. All results (both serological and virological) shall be sent to the Community Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza (CRL) for collation. A good flow of information must be ensured. The CRL shall provide technical support and keep an enlarged stock of diagnostic reagents.
 5. All avian influenza virus isolates shall be submitted to the CRL in accordance with Community legislation, unless a derogation according to paragraph 4 of Chapter V (Differential diagnosis) in the diagnostic manual laid down in Decision 2006/437/EC is granted. Viruses of H5/H7 subtype shall be submitted without delay and shall be subjected to the standard characterisation tests (nucleotide sequencing/IVPI) according to that Diagnostic Manual.
 6. Whenever possible, NLs shall submit to the CRL, H5 or H7 positive sera collected from Anseriformes in order that an archive be established to facilitate future test development.

B.  1. All positive findings shall be retrospectively investigated at the holding and the conclusions of this investigation shall be reported to the Commission and the CRL.
 2. Specific protocols to accompany the sending of material to the CRL and reporting tables for collection of surveillance data shall be provided by the CRL. In those tables the laboratory testing methods used shall be indicated. The tables provided shall be used to submit results in a single document.
 3. Blood samples for serological examination shall be collected from all species of poultry including those reared in free-range systems, from at least 5 to 10 birds (except ducks geese and quail) per holding, and from the different sheds, if more than one shed is present on a holding. In case of several sheds the sample size per holding should be increased appropriately. It is recommended to take at least five birds per shed.
 4. 

((a)) the number of holdings to be sampled (excluding ducks, geese and turkeys); that number shall be defined so as to ensure the identification of at least one infected holding if the prevalence of infected holdings is at least 5 %, with a 95 % confidence interval (see Table 1); and
((b)) the number of birds sampled from each holding shall be defined so as to ensure 95 % probability of identifying at least one positive bird if the prevalence of sero-positive birds is ≥ 30 %.
 5. 

((a)) the types of production and their specific risks, shall be targeted to free range production, outdoor keeping and backyard flocks plus taking into account other factors such as multi-age, use of surface water, a relatively longer life span, the presence of more than one species on the holding or other relevant factors;
((b)) the number of turkey, duck and goose holdings to be sampled shall be defined to ensure the identification of at least one infected holding if the prevalence of infected holdings is at least 5 %, with a 99 % confidence interval (see Table 2);
((c)) where significant number of holdings producing game, ratites and quails are present in a Member State they shall be included in the programme. With regard to quails only adult (or laying) breeders shall be sampled;
((d)) the time period for sampling shall coincide with seasonal production. However, where appropriate, sampling can be adapted to other identified periods at local level, during which time the presence of other poultry hosts on a holding might pose a greater risk for disease introduction;
((e)) in case a significant number of backyard flocks are present, surveillance could be extended to them;
((f)) Member States that must carry out sampling for Newcastle disease to maintain their status as Newcastle disease non-vaccinating countries in accordance with Commission Decision 94/327/EC may utilise these samples from breeding flocks for the surveillance of H5/H7 antibodies.


Number of holdings per poultry category per Member State Number of holdings to be sampled
Up to 34 All
35-50 35
51-80 42
81-250 53
> 250 60


Number of holdings per Member State Number of holdings to be sampled
Up to 46 All
47-60 47
61-100 59
101-350 80
> 350 90

C.  1. Blood samples for serological testing shall be taken preferably from birds which are kept outside in fields.
 2. From each selected holding 40-50 blood samples shall be taken for serological testing.
 3. In case commercial flocks are not present, surveillance could be carried out on backyard flocks.

D.  1. Laboratory tests shall be carried out in accordance with the avian influenza diagnostic manual (Commission Decision 2006/437/EC) laying down the procedures for the confirmation and differential diagnosis of avian influenza (including examination of sera from ducks and geese by haemagglutination-inhibition (HI) test).
 2. However, if laboratory tests not laid down in the avian influenza diagnostic manual nor described in the OIE Terrestrial Manual are envisaged, Member States shall provide the necessary validation data to the CRL, in parallel to submitting their programme to the Commission for approval.
 3. 
H5
((a)) initial test using Ostrich/Denmark/72420/96 (H5N2);
((b)) test all positives with Duck/Denmark/64650/03 (H5N7) to eliminate N2 cross reactive antibody.H7
((a)) initial test using Turkey/England/647/77 (H7N7);
((b)) test all positives with African Starling/983/79 (H7N1) to eliminate N7 cross reactive antibody.

ANNEX II
A.  A1. 
Virological surveillance for avian influenza in wild birds aim to identify the risk of introduction of AI viruses (LPAI and HPAI) to domestic poultry by:


— ensuring early detection of HPAI H5N1 by investigating increased incidence of morbidity and mortality in wild birds, in particular in selected ‘higher risk’ species.
— in the event that HPAI H5N1 is detected in wild birds, then surveillance of live and dead wild birds shall be enhanced to determine whether wild birds of other species can act as asymptomatic carriers or ‘bridge species’ (see Part E of this Annex).
— continuing a ‘baseline’ surveillance of different species of free living migratory birds as part of continuous monitoring of LPAI viruses. Anseriformes (water fowl) and Charadriiformes (shorebirds and gulls) shall be the main sampling targets to assess if they carry LPAI viruses of H5 and H7 subtypes (which would in any case also detect HPAI H5N1 and other HPAI, if present). ‘Higher risk species’ must be targeted in particular.
 A2.  1. Sampling shall not extend beyond 31 December of the year of implementation of the programme.
 2. Testing of samples shall be carried out at national laboratories for avian influenza (NL) in Member States or by other laboratories authorised by the competent authorities and under the control of the NL.
 3. All results shall be sent to the Community Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza (CRL) for collation. A good flow of information must be ensured. The CRL shall provide technical support and keep an enlarged stock of diagnostic reagents.
 4. All avian influenza virus isolates of cases in wild birds shall be submitted to the CRL in accordance with Community legislation, unless a derogation according to paragraph 4 of Chapter V under Differential diagnosis in the avian influenza Diagnostic Manual laid down in Decision 2006/437/EC is granted. Viruses of H5/H7 subtype shall be submitted without delay and shall be subjected to the standard characterisation tests (nucleotide sequencing/IVPI) according to the said diagnostic manual.

B. 
Close cooperation with epidemiologists and ornithologists and the competent authority for nature conservation shall be ensured for designing the surveillance, assisting in species identification and optimising sampling. The design of the surveillance shall be adapted to the national situation as regards selection of species to be sampled according to species predominance and bird population sizes. Sampling must consider the seasonality of migration patterns, which may vary in different Member States. It shall take into account the behaviour of bird species as regards migratory flyways, main habitats, gregariousness and degree of mixing during migration and the results obtained from previous surveillance during 2003-2006. In addition, continuous review and feedback will be provided through the AI wild bird surveillance working group who are analysing new data as they become available.

For H5N1 HPAI, all those factors shall be considered in relation to the probability of wild bird exposure to infected poultry and wild birds in outbreak areas and the probability of contact of wild birds with domestic poultry in the poultry husbandry systems in the different Member States.

To assess those probabilities, the decision trees and tables in the opinion of EFSA, which were drawn up in collaboration with the European Commission's Environment Directorate-General can provide an effective tool for Member States’ local risk assessments to adapt to an evolving situation based on a close collaboration and exchange of views between Member States.

Liaisons with bird conservation/watching institutions and ringing stations shall be encouraged. Sampling, where appropriate, shall be carried out under the supervision of staff from these groups/stations, by hunters and other ornithologically skilled persons.


1.. Passive surveillance of sick and dead wild birds shall be targeted on:

((a)) areas where increased incidence of morbidity and mortality in wild birds occurs;
((b)) areas close to the sea, lakes and waterways where birds were found dead; and in particular when these areas are in proximity to domestic poultry farms;
((c)) birds belonging to identified ‘higher risk’ species listed in part D and other wild birds living in close proximity with them.
2.. In addition, investigations of living and dead wild birds in areas where H5N1 cases have been detected shall ideally be targeted on birds:

((a)) wild birds or poultry to possibly identify asymptomatic carriers;
((b)) in areas epidemiologically linked to these cases;
((c)) coming possibly in close contact to domestic poultry holdings (Protection zone, surveillance zone and area B), which might function as ‘bridge species’, in particular those that are listed in part E.
3.. Active surveillance on living and clinically healthy and/or clinically diseased, injured or hunted birds shall be targeted on:

((a)) migratory birds belonging to the orders of Anseriformes (water fowl) and Charadriiformes (shorebirds and gulls);
((b)) at identified areas for concentration and mixing of high number of migratory birds involving different species and in particular when these areas are in proximity to domestic poultry farms;
((c)) a selection of higher risk species.
 1. Oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs for virological examination shall be taken from apparently healthy free living birds. If for any reason it is impractical to take cloacal swabs from live birds carefully collected fresh faeces samples may serve as an alternative. However, traceability in case of mixed sites frequented by different bird species must be ensured.
 2. Cloacal and tracheal/oropharyngeal swabs and/or tissues (namely the brain, heart, lung, trachea, kidney and intestines) from wild birds found dead or shot shall be sampled for virus isolation and molecular detection (PCR).
 3. Specific care has to be taken for the storage and transport of samples. Swabs must be chilled immediately on ice or with frozen gel packs and submitted to the laboratory as quickly as possible. Samples must not be frozen unless absolutely necessary. If available, swabs must be placed in antibiotic or specific virus transport medium so that they are fully immersed. Placing samples in medium for transportation must be done in addition to chilling and not as an alternative to chilling. In the absence of such medium, swabs must be returned to their casing and submitted dry. If rapid transport within 48 hours to the laboratory (in transport medium at 4° Celsius) is not guaranteed, samples shall be immediately frozen, stored and then transported on dry ice. Storage and transport of samples may be affected by a variety of factors so the method selected must be fit for purpose.
 4. Sampling procedures shall be carried out in accordance with the avian influenza diagnostic manual (Commission Decision 2006/437/EC) laying down the procedures for the confirmation and differential diagnostic of avian influenza.

C.  1. Laboratory tests shall be carried out in accordance with the avian influenza diagnostic manual (Commission Decision 2006/437/EC) laying down the procedures for the confirmation and differential diagnostic of avian influenza.
 2. However, if laboratory tests not laid down in the avian influenza diagnostic manual nor described in the OIE Terrestrial Manual are envisaged, Member States shall provide the necessary validation data to the CRL, in parallel to submitting their programme to the Commission for approval.
 3. All samples collected in the surveillance for avian influenza in wild birds shall be tested as soon as possible by molecular techniques if available and according to the diagnostic manual (Commission Decision 2006/437/EC). These tests shall only be carried out in laboratories able to guarantee quality assurance and using methods recognised by the CRL for avian influenza. In addition, methods used must have produced acceptable results in the most recent comparative ring test of national laboratories. Initial screening using M gene PCR is recommended, with rapid testing of positives for H5 (but within two weeks) and in case of a positive finding analysis of the cleavage site must be undertaken as soon as possible to determine whether or not it has a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) or a low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) motif. If H5 HPAI is confirmed further analysis to determine the N type must be done rapidly (even this can only provide evidence eliminating N1).
 4. At the laboratory, pooling of up to five samples taken from the same species collected at the same site and same time may be permitted when it can be ensured that, in case of a positive finding, the individual samples can be identified and retested.
 5. Serological surveillance shall not be applied for avian influenza investigations in wild birds because serological methods cannot distinguish between HP and LP strains and antibody findings do not allow inference in relation to the likely location where wild birds might have become infected. However, serological surveillance might be important to study in which resident or migrating bird species H5/H7 viruses are/were prevalent (or endemic). Such analysis shall only be performed by specialised laboratories using a carefully selected panel of antigens to ensure the detection of haemagglutinin specific antibodies (i.e. to eliminate the possibility of interference from N specific antibodies).

D. 
Common name Scientific name
Bewick's Swan Cygnus columbianus
Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus
Mute Swan Cygnus olor
Geese
Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus
Bean Goose Anser fabalis
Greater White-fronted Goose (European race) Anser albifrons albifrons
Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus
Greylag Goose Anser anser
Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis
Brent Goose Branta bernicla
Red-breasted Goose Branta ruficollis
Canada Goose Branta canadensis
Ducks
Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope
Common Teal Anas crecca
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos
Northern Pintail Anas acuta
Garganey Anas querquedula
Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata
Marbled Teal Marmaronetta angustirostris
Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina
Common Pochard Aythya ferina
Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula
Waders
Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus
Eurasian Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria
Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa
Ruff Philomachus pugnax
Gulls
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus
Common Gull Larus canus


E. 
Common name Scientific name Probability of contact with poultry
Group 1. Species intimately associated with poultry production in Europe
Domestic Goose Anser anser domesticus High
Domestic Mallard Anas platyrhynchos High
Domestic Muscovy Duck Cairina moschata High
Feral Pigeon Columba livia High
House Sparrow Passer domesticus High
Group 2. Species which may share farmland also used by domesticated poultry in north Europe
Eurasian Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria Low
Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus Medium
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus High
Common Gull Larus canus High
Herring Gull Larus argentatus Low
Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus High
Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto High
Ring-necked Pheasant Phasianus colchicus High
Larks species Alauda & Galerida spp Low
Pipits  Low
Wagtails  Medium
Fieldfare Turdus pilaris Medium
Redwing Turdus iliacus Medium
Black-billed Magpie Pica pica High
Eurasian Jackdaw Corvus monedula High
Rook Corvus frugilegus Medium
Carrion Crow Corvus corone Medium
Raven Corvus corax Low
Starling Sturnus vulgaris High
Spotless Starling Sturnus unicolor High
House Sparrow Passer domesticus High
Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus High
Finches  Medium
Buntings Miliaria, Emberiza spp Medium
Group 3. Species which may share wetlands also used by domesticated water birds in Northern Europe
Egrets Egretta spp. Low
Herons Ardea and other spp. Medium
Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo Medium
Storks Ciconia spp. Low
Mute Swan Cygnus olor Medium
Greylag Goose Anser anser Medium
Canada Goose Branta canadensis Low
Ducks Anas & Aythya spp. Low
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos High
Common Coot Fulica atra Medium
Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Medium


ANNEX III


ANNEX IV 
