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A spokesman for the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau announced today (January 27) that the Mainland would not allow live poultry and poultry meat from Guangxi, Hunan and Hubei to be exported to Hong Kong.

The move was introduced following discussions between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Mainland authorities.

As a result, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) have immediately suspended for the time being the processing of applications for importing live birds and poultry meat from these three provinces.

Upon notification by the Ministry of Health of either confirmed or suspected highly pathogenic avian influenza in these three provinces, Hong Kong has strengthened the notification mechanism with the Mainland authorities on the possible occurrence of human case of avian influenza infection.

The Department of Health will maintain daily contacts with the Ministry of Health and the Health Department of Guangdong Province to obtain information on whether there are any human cases of avian influenza infection. Meanwhile, the Mainland authorities will enhance its notification system with Hong Kong on diseases relating to live poultry.

The spokesman said: "The Guangdong authorities will strengthen the inspection and quarantine of live poultry to be exported to Hong Kong. To prevent the spread of the disease, the surveillance of and preventive measures at farms supplying poultry to Hong Kong will be stepped up. "

Here in Hong Kong, relevant departments will enhance preventive measures as follows:

*Step up monitoring of the health condition of travellers and imported poultry and livestock at all boundary control points;

*FEHD will strengthen its inspections of poultry stalls at markets;

*AFCD will continue to closely monitor the health condition of chickens at local farms. The department will enhance surveillance of wild birds and birds at recreational parks, increase faeces collection from wild birds for tests and step up inspections of pet bird shops;

*The Hospital Authority has made all the necessary preparations and stands ready to conduct tests on influenza viruses for patients whenever necessary to check if the case is related to avian influenza; and

*The Government will intensify publicity efforts on avian influenza prevention so that the public will have a deeper understanding of the disease.

The spokesman noted that as avian influenza is pandemic in our neighbouring regions, members of the public should pay extra attention to personal and environmental hygiene.

Droppings of infected live birds and poultry may carry the avian influenza virus. People should avoid touching live birds and poultry and their droppings. They should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately if they have been in contact with live birds and poultry, the spokesman added.

The spokesman urged all live poultry handlers to pay extra attention to personal hygiene and wear protective gears while at work.

"Travellers to areas experiencing avian flu outbreaks should avoid visits to live animal markets and poultry farms.

"Schools and nurseries should take measures to prevent children from coming into contact with live birds.

"As influenza viruses are destroyed by heat, members of the public should ensure that all foods from poultry, including eggs, have been thoroughly cooked," he added.

Ends/Tuesday, January 27, 2004

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