Guidelines and procedures for clinical examination and sampling on pigs in suspected holdings

blood samples for serological examination must be taken from all sentinel chickens not less then 21 days after the imported birds entered quarantine and at least three days before the end of the quarantine period;

The type of samples to be taken and the test to be used will be in accordance with the instructions of the competent authority, which will take into account the range of tests that can be performed, the sensitivity of these tests and the epidemiological situation.

in the case of quarantine centres, where no sentinel chickens are used, during 7 to 15 days after final cleaning and disinfection, samples for virological examination have to be taken from birds in the other quarantine units;

The type of samples to be taken for virological tests and the test to be used will be in accordance with the instructions of the competent authority, which will take into account the range of tests that can be performed, the sensitivity of these tests and the epidemiological situation.

if the seropositive pigs are sows with suckling piglets, blood samples must be taken from all piglets and shall be subjected to examination for classical swine fever virus, virus antigen or virus genome as referred to in Chapter VI.

The number of samples to be taken for virological tests will be in accordance with the instructions of the competent authority, which will take into account the range of tests that can be performed, the sensitivity of the laboratory tests that will be used and the epidemiological situation.

In order that classical swine fever may be confirmed or ruled out and additional epidemiological information is gained, when pigs are killed as a preventive measure on a suspected holding in accordance with the provisions of Article 4(3)(a) or Article 7(2) of Directive 2001/89/EC, blood samples for serological tests as well as blood or tonsils samples for virological tests must be taken in accordance with the procedure laid down in subparagraph 2.

If during quarantine as provided for in Article 3 it is suspected that one or more birds are infected with avian influenza or Newcastle disease, samples for virological examination as set out in Annex C(2) shall be taken from birds in the facility or suspect unit and shall be analysed accordingly.

criteria and procedures to be followed for the collection of samples from live pigs or their carcases, to confirm or exclude African swine fever by laboratory examinations, including sampling methods for serological or virological screenings carried out in the framework of the application of the measures provided for in this Directive;

In order that the manner of introduction of classical swine fever virus into an infected holding and the length of time elapsed since its introduction may be established, when pigs are killed on a holding following confirmation of an outbreak in accordance with Article 5(1)(a) of Directive 2001/89/EC, blood samples for serological tests must be taken at random from the pigs when they are killed.

If further clinical signs or lesions that may suggest classical swine fever are detected in a suspected holding, but the competent authority deems that these findings are not sufficient to confirm an outbreak of classical swine fever and that laboratory tests are therefore necessary, blood samples for laboratory tests must be taken from the suspected pigs and from other pigs in each sub-unit in which the suspected pigs are kept, in accordance with the procedures laid down below.

However, if the further checks and tests referred to in subparagraph 4 do not allow classical swine fever to be ruled out, further blood sampling for serological testing shall be carried out in the holding after at least two weeks have elapsed from the previous checks. In the framework of this further sampling, the pigs already sampled and tested shall be re-sampled for a comparative serological testing with the previously collected samples to detect sero-conversion for classical swine fever virus or for ruminant pestiviruses, if any.

the methods for collecting samples and for examinations in approved national laboratories,

A. GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLINICAL EXAMINATION OF AND SAMPLING ON PIGS IN SUSPECTED HOLDINGS

Whereas rules should be established for this microbiological examination of samples by laying down the sampling method, the number of samples to be taken and the microbiological method for examining the samples;

the official veterinarian takes adequate samples or has them taken for examination by the laboratory referred to in Annex I, where these samples and examinations have not been taken or carried out during the period of suspicion in accordance with the first subparagraph of Article 4 (1);

In order that ASF may be confirmed or ruled out and additional epidemiological information is gained, when pigs are killed as a preventive measure on a suspected holding in accordance with the provisions of Article 4(3)(a) or 7 (2) of Directive 2002/60/EC, blood samples for serological tests as well as blood samples for virological tests must be taken in accordance with the procedure laid down in point 2.

(b) if the seropositive pigs are sows with suckling piglets, blood samples must be taken from all piglets and shall be subjected to examination for classical swine fever virus, virus antigen or virus genome as referred to in Chapter VI.

(b) the number of samples to be taken for virological tests will be in accordance with the instructions of the competent authority, which will take into account the range of tests that can be performed, the sensitivity of the laboratory tests that will be used and the epidemiological situation.

Where practical difficulties arise (e.g. bad weather conditions, non-working days, laboratory problems, etc.) which make it impossible to inoculate cells within 48 hours after the collection of the tissue samples it is acceptable to freeze the tissue specimens in cell culture medium at - 20 °C or below and carry out virological examination within 14 days.

Where practical difficulties arise (e.g. bad weather conditions, non-working days, laboratory problems, etc.) which make it impossible to inoculate cells within 48 hours after the collection of the tissue samples it is acceptable to freeze the tissue specimens in cell culture medium at - 20 °C or below and carry out virological examination within 14 days.

the results of the laboratory tests carried out on the samples taken from the pigs in the holdings and when such pigs were killed, where pigs in contact holdings have not been killed, information must be provided concerning the reasons for this decision.

Member States shall ensure that, following the suspicion of fish on a farm being infected with ISAV, an official investigation to confirm or rule out the presence of the disease is carried out as quickly as possible, applying the inspections and clinical examinations, as well as the collection and selection of samples and the methods for laboratory examination as laid down in Part III-VI of this Annex.

Member States shall ensure that, where a holding contains one or more animals suspected of being infected or of being contaminated with foot-and-mouth disease, official means of investigation to confirm or rule out the presence of the disease are set in motion immediately and, in particular, that the official veterinarian takes the necessary samples, or has them taken, for laboratory examination.

criteria and procedures to be followed for collection of samples from live pigs or their carcases, to confirm or exclude classical swine fever by laboratory examinations, including sampling methods for serological or virological screenings carried out in the framework of the application of the measures provided for in this Directive;

In order that the manner of introduction of the ASF virus into an infected holding and the length of time elapsed since its introduction may be established, when pigs are killed on a holding following confirmation of an outbreak in accordance with Article 5(1)(a) of Directive 2002/60/EC, blood samples for serological tests must be taken at random from the pigs when they are killed.

However, the derogation provided for in Article 10(5) and Article 11(4) of Directive 2002/60/EC may only be granted if the competent authority ensures that in each holding in the zone blood samples for serological tests are taken. The minimum number of blood samples to be taken must allow for the detection of 5 % seroprevalence with 95 % confidence in each subunit in the holding.

In the framework of this further sampling, the pigs already sampled and tested shall be re-sampled for a comparative serological testing with the previously collected samples to detect sero-conversion for classical swine fever virus or for ruminant pestiviruses, if any.

If further clinical signs or lesions that may suggest ASF are detected in a suspected holding, but the competent authority deems that these findings are not sufficient to confirm an outbreak of ASF and that laboratory tests are therefore necessary, blood samples for laboratory tests must be taken from the suspected pigs and from other pigs in each subunit in which the suspected pigs are kept, in accordance with the following procedures:

'device used for in vitro diagnosis' means any device which is a reagent, reagent product, kit, instrument, equipment or system, whether used alone or in combination, intended by the manufacturer to be used in vitro for the examination of samples derived from the human body with a view to providing information on the physiological state, state of health or disease, or congenital abnormality thereof;

Whereas examination of the information forwarded has shown that the tolerances laid down for verification of the declared fat content are too narrow; whereas the tolerances for the averages of the results obtained from samples taken and for individual results should be doubled; whereas, under those circumstances, the requirement that each sample must comply with the limits laid down in the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 2991/94 can no longer be maintained; whereas the requirement that the average content established must comply with those limits must be stipulated;

Those examinations and the collection of samples shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Annex II.

GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLINICAL EXAMINATION OF AND SAMPLING ON PIGS IN SUSPECTED HOLDINGS

THE MINIMUM TIME FIXED FOR THE EXAMINATION DOES NOT INCLUDE THE TIME NECESSARY FOR SAMPLE-TAKING AND FOR MAKING THE PREPARATIONS.

Collection of samples and laboratory testing to detect the presence of avian influenza virus shall be carried out in accordance with Annex III.

'physical check' shall mean a check of the animal itself, possibly including sampling and laboratory testing and, where appropriate, additional checks during quarantine;

Collection of samples and laboratory testing to detect the presence of Newcastle-disease virus shall be carried out in accordance with Annex III.

the date of collection of the samples and the date on which the laboratory test has been carried out, if samples were taken or, if no samples were taken, the date of which the check has been carried out;

Histological evaluation of colonic biopsies, obtained before and 4 weeks after administration of infliximab, revealed a substantial reduction in detectable TNFα.

WATERTIGHT CORROSION-RESISTANT CONTAINERS , WITH HERMETICALLY SEALED LIDS , FOR COLLECTING THE SAMPLES AFTER EXAMINATION , AND SO DESIGNED AS TO PREVENT UNAUTHORIZED REMOVAL OF THE CONTENTS;

Specimens for fungal culture and other relevant laboratory studies (including histopathology) should be obtained prior to therapy to isolate and identify causative organism(s).

The sentinel piglets shall be placed, in accordance with the requirements of the competent authority, throughout the infected holding and will be examined clinically 28 days after having been placed on the holding, and sampled for serological testing.

In order that ASF may be confirmed or ruled out and additional epidemiological information is gained, when pigs are killed as a preventive measure on a suspected holding in accordance with the provisions of Article 4(3)(a) or 7 (2) of Directive 2002/60/EC, blood samples for serological tests as well as blood samples for virological tests must be taken in accordance with the procedure laid down in point 2. 2.

the number of samples to be taken for virological tests will be in accordance with the instructions of the competent authority, which will take into account the range of tests that can be performed, the sensitivity of the laboratory tests that will be used and the epidemiological situation.

where necessary and feasible, appropriate further checks including collection of samples are carried out to confirm or rule out swine vesicular disease in the place where these pigs have been detected, taking into account the local situation;

When poultry in a holding are suspected of being infected or contaminated with avian influenza, Member States shall ensure that the official veterinarian immediately activates official investigation arrangements to confirm or rule out the presence of the disease and, in particular, must take or have taken the samples necessary for laboratory examination.

issue a certificate which matches the model to be drawn up by the Commission in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 23 attesting that the checks referred to in Articles 4 (1) and (2) (a), (b) and (d) have been carried out to the satisfaction of the official veterinarian, and specifying the nature of the samples that have been taken and the results of any laboratory tests, or when those results are expected,

When poultry in a holding are suspected of being infected or contaminated with Newcastle disease, Member States shall ensure that the official veterinarian immediately activates official investigation arrangements to confirm or rule out the presence of the disease and, in particular, must take or have taken the samples necessary for laboratory examination.

The competent authority may decide that Article 4(2) shall not apply in cases of appearance of a secondary source which is epidemiologically linked with a primary source for which samples have already been taken in accordance to that Article, provided that appropriate and sufficient numbers of samples needed for the epidemiological inquiry referred to in Article 13 have been taken.