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The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department have suspended the processing of applications for importing live birds or poultry meat from Indonesia, Pakistan and Laos until more information is available for the suspected outbreak of avian influenza cases in these three countries.

A spokesman for the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau made the announcement today (January 27). "This is a precautionary measure in view of the suspected avian influenza situation in these three countries," he said. "We will seek clarification about the situation in Indonesia, Pakistan and Laos from the relevant authorities and the Office International des Epizooties (OIE), which is the international authority on animal health and disease.

"With the confirmation of H5 avian influenza outbreaks in Thailand and Cambodia, we earlier temporarily suspended the importation of live birds and poultry meat from these two countries."

Ends/Tuesday, January 27, 2004

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