What is the required action after four consecutive negative egg tests following a positive status?

• A. Return to production
• B. Continue restricted production
• C. Depopulate
• D. Move to alternative verification

Answer: (B)

Continuing restricted production is the appropriate action because a positive status triggers a controlled program to prevent potentially contaminated eggs from entering the market. Regular testing, including four consecutive negative egg tests, builds confidence that the infection is not being shed into eggs. Yet, full return to normal production isn’t immediate; programs require maintaining restricted production while completing the clearance criteria and any required verification steps. This approach minimizes risk while still allowing monitoring to demonstrate control. Returning to production or depopulating is not warranted based on the information given, and switching to an alternative verification method is used when standard verification isn’t providing clear results, not simply after consecutive negatives.