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Following Mainland's confirmation of a case of H5N1 avian influenza outbreak in Anhui, a spokesman for the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau said tonight (July 6) that the Government has agreed with the relevant Mainland authorities to temporarily suspend the importation of live birds and poultry meat from the Anhui Province with immediate effect.

"In view of the isolated incident in Anhui Province, the importation of live chickens and poultry meat from other provinces will not be affected, including registered farms in Guangdong.

"We will closely monitor the situation in the following weeks," the spokesman said.

There has been no import of poultry meat from Anhui Province since the resumption of importation from the Mainland in March this year.

In response to media enquiries, the spokesman noted there was a reported outbreak of avian influenza near Bangkok in Thailand.

He added that applications for importation of live birds and poultry meat from Thailand have been temporarily suspended since January.

Ends/Tuesday, July 6, 2004

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