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The Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, visited pet bird stalls in the Yuen Po Street Bird Garden this morning (November 1) to get a better idea of the precautionary measures put in place to guard against avian influenza.
Dr Chow was met by the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Mr Thomas Chan, and briefed by Veterinary Officer Dr Kenny Ho Chin-ho on measures taken since the recent outbreak of bird flu among poultry and migratory birds in neigbouring areas.
Dr Chow took the opportunity to meet with pet bird traders and shared their concerns that the recent bird flu threat had affected their trade.
He noted that swab samples collected from local pet bird stalls, including those from the bird garden, for testing of the bird flu viruses had so far been all clear.
The recent case involving the infection of a parrot by other imported birds in the United Kingdom underscored the need for higher surveillance of pet birds in Hong Kong, he said, adding that the authority would not tolerate any undeclared import of pet birds.
Dr Chow stressed that bird traders and workers had an important part to play in the overall efforts in guarding against the disease.
They should wear gloves when cleaning bird cages and bird droppings, attend more diligently to personal hygiene, such as washing hands after each of the procedures, and observe the licensing requirements which listed maintaining a clean and sanitary condition for housing the birds, he said.
Ends/Tuesday, November 1, 2005
Issued at HKT 17:03
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