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The Department of Health (DH) reiterated today (May 18) that the avian flu virus isolated in the markets was not the same as the kind of H5N1 chicken virus that we had in Hong Kong in 1997 and that there was no evidence to suggest that the virus could affect human health.

However, to provide health advice to poultry workers who might be concerned about the virus, four General Out-patient Clinics will be opened this (May 18) evening.

A spokesman for DH said the following clinics would be opened every evening from 6 pm to 10 pm until further notice:

* Anne Black Health Centre, 140 Tsat Tse Mui Road, North Point, Hong Kong (Tel: 2561 6162)

* West Kowloon Health Centre, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon (Tel: 2150 7226)

* Yuen Chau Kok Clinic, 29 Chap Wai Kon Street, Sha Tin, New Territories (Tel: 2647 2082)

* South Kwai Chung Polyclinic, 310 Kwai Shing Circuit, Kwai Chung, New Territories (Tel: 2419 1191)

In addition, health advice is also available via DH's Central Health Education Unit Hotline 2833 0111.

End/Friday, May 18, 2001

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