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The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Rafael Hui, visited Ap Lei Chau Market this morning (November 4) to look at the various precautionary measures against avian influenza being implemented at live poultry outlets.
The Assistant Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Mr Lo Fu-wai, briefed Mr Hui on facilities in the market's poultry section and rules that stall operators must observe.
Stall operators are required to suspend business on designated Rest Days twice each month when they must kill all live poultry. They are also required to install acrylic panels so customers cannot touch live poultry and droppings will not foul the passageways, and to clean the stalls thoroughly after business every day.
With avian influenza cases in a number of countries, the department is maintaining a state of full alert. Department staff inspect the poultry sections of public markets every two hours to observe the health of the live poultry. They also check to see if there is any sign of overcrowding of live poultry and whether the operators have put on protective clothing and worn rubber gloves while handling and bleeding live poultry.
Accompanying Mr Hui on today's visit was the Principal Assistant Secretary of the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau, Mr Vincent Liu.
Ends/Friday, November 4, 2005
Issued at HKT 12:55
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