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Mai Po Nature Reserve, which has been closed since the end of January, will be re-opened from tomorrow (March 18).
The nature reserve was closed as part of the precautionary measures adopted to minimise human contact with birds.
"As the avian influenza outbreak situation in the region has started to ease off, the Government has decided to re-open the Mai Po Nature Reserve to the public," a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said.
But the spokesman warned that members of the public should remain alert.
"People should observe good personal hygiene and avoid contact with wild birds and their droppings. They should also wash hands thoroughly after contact with wild birds and their droppings," he said.
AFCD will work closely with the World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong to ensure that sufficient precautionary measures are taken on the management side.
AFCD has maintained a stringent monitoring regime on wild birds in the Mai Po Nature Reserve and has been collecting faecal samples for H5 avian influenza tests since winter 2002. So far, no abnormality has been observed. "We will continue to be vigilant and maintain surveillance of wild birds," the spokesman said.
Ends/Wednesday, March 17, 2004
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