Written by Katharine Richter
Acting under authority granted by the Domestic Animal Law (3
Pa.C.S.A. §§ 2301—2389) the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has issued
an Interstate and General Quarantine Order focused on addressing the
spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). The order was published in the PA Bulletin on
Saturday, August 22 and specifically targets the H5N2 and H5N8 strains of the
disease which, according to the order, “have developed into a virulent form of
the disease . . . [and] are easily spread, and may mutate into strains that are
communicable to or among humans.”
The quarantine order applies to the entire Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania and encompasses chicken, turkey and numerous species of game birds
such as doves, pheasants, and grouse, as well as “all . . . waterfowl and any
other species of bird . . . that may contract or harbor Avian Influenza virus.”
The quarantine order requires that any “conveyance[s],
vehicle[s], container[s], and material[s]” used to transport any of the
affected species into or within the Commonwealth must be cleaned and
disinfected. In the case of vehicles and
conveyances the mandate requires the use of commercial truck washing equipment
or its equivalent and extends to the inside of the cab, specifically including
the “inside floor boards and pedals” must be cleaned.
The owner or operator must retain proof of cleaning for one
month after the cleaning occurs. The
order specifies that “A receipt from a commercial truck washing operation or
documentation of the place and type of equivalent equipment utilized showing
the date and time” the cleaning occurred must be available for inspection by
the Department of Agriculture or the Pennsylvania State Police.
The order became effective on its publication in the PA
Bulletin.
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