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The Interdepartmental Action Co-ordinating Committee (IACC) today (November 2) followed up on the progress of actions agreed at the last meeting in the light of new developments to fight avian influenza.
The committee also reviewed areas for improvement and mapped out new strategies.
Noting that avian flu had been spreading more widely outside Hong Kong since last week, IACC Chairperson and Permanent Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food Mrs Carrie Yau has asked departments and agencies to continue to take vigorous precautionary measures and closer surveillance in dealing with wild birds, pet birds and poultry.
The meeting noted that the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) had taken a proactive and leading role in the disposal of dead birds. So far, more than 80 bird carcasses had been collected by the department for testing of bird flu viruses. All available test results were negative.
AFCD had also asked transport operators of live poultry to put in place bird proof nets to minimise the risk of bird flu while transporting the poultry, and to wear gloves when handling live poultry.
The meeting also learned that the Customs and Excise Department had already stepped up enforcement against smuggling of pet birds and poultry into the territory.
On the issue of backyard farming, Mrs Yau told members that the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau would study legislators' proposal to regulate backyard farmers who kept fewer than 20 chickens to plug the loophole in the defence against bird flu.
In the meantime, AFCD will take a proactive role to provide free vaccination service against avian flu to these backyard chickens. But the department advised that those who could not have enough bio-security measures in place should consider no longer keeping the backyard poultry. They could contact the AFCD animal management centres for disposal arrangement.
Regarding the environmental nuisance caused by pigeons and crows, the Housing Department and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will enhance their efforts to keep the problem at bay while cautioning people against feeding wild birds. In respect of home crows, AFCD had also tested more than 100 crow samples and found no bird flu viruses.
The Health, Welfare and Food Bureau had asked relevant departments to step up public hygiene programmes under a community-based approach targeting at all districts and housing estates. Such programmes include:
Buildings Department
* To step up publicity to increase public awareness on the importance of proper installation and maintenance of U-traps and drainage pipes to guard against the spread of infectious diseases.
* To dispatch a leaflet on the subject matter to 1.3 million households living in private buildings.
Housing Department
* In addition to setting up teams to inspect the drainage system, the department has asked tenants to take parallel action to report defective drains and to refill U-trap with water regularly.
* Leaflets on proper maintenance of drain pipes will be distributed to all public housing tenants.
* Tenants have been urged to upkeep environmental hygiene and not to feed wild birds through various channels in public housing estates.
* To organise "Operation Tai Ping Tei" in a number of estates in November to encourage community participation in clean-up operations.
Transport Department
* Letters are being sent to public transport operators providing rail, franchised bus, non-franchised bus, public light bus, taxi or ferry services appealing for their support to upkeep their cleaning standards and preparedness to prevent avian flu.
Home Affairs Department
* To organise a Team Clean Day to mobilise members of the public to clean up hygiene black spots in their districts.
Information Services Department
* To step up publicity efforts to advise the public on precautionary measures. New announcements in the public interest (APIs) will be broadcast on TV and radio over the next few weeks.
* More leaflets, posters and other publicity materials in different languages are being produced and distributed.
* A dedicated webpage providing up-to-date information on prevention of avian flu can be viewed via the Centre for Health Protection website www.chp.gov.hk or the Government website www.info.gov.hk .
"There is no room for complacency. With heightened alertness and preparedness, we must continue to make our best effort to fight the disease," Mrs Yau said.
"Everyone can also contribute to the overall efforts in fighting avian flu by going back to the basics - keeping good personal and environmental hygiene practices," she added.
Ends/Wednesday, November 2, 2005
Issued at HKT 17:16
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