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In view of a confirmed H5N1 avian influenza outbreak in Liaoning Province, a spokesman for the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau (HWFB) today (November 4) announced that the Government had suspended processing the applications for importation of live poultry and poultry meat from Liaoning Province with immediate effect.
"The HWFB received notification about an H5N1 avian influenza outbreak among poultry in Hei Shan County, Jin Zhou, Liaoning Province from the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) of the Mainland last night. We understand that of the 82,000 chickens that showed signs of illness, 8,940 have died. Twenty wild birds, including magpies, have also died. The authorities have culled 369,900 chickens in the province.
"Up to October 25 this year, Hong Kong had imported 13,000 tonnes of poultry meat from Liaoning Province. But upon receiving the notification by MOA, we have immediately stopped processing such import applications. Hong Kong has not imported any live poultry from Liaoning Province.
"We will continue to monitor the situation in the coming weeks," the spokesman said.
Ends/Friday, November 4, 2005
Issued at HKT 15:19
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