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The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) mounted a special cleaning operation at its parks today (November 20) in support of the Community Cleanliness Day.
Flyers were distributed to park-goers, reminding them that the public should not feed birds at LCSD venues and that offenders would be prosecuted.
Members of the Eastern District Council showed support and distributed flyers in Victoria Park to help disseminate the message.
An LCSD spokesman said that as well as regular cleaning work at all the leisure venues, staff have also reinforced the cleaning work at venues where birds are kept or wild birds may gather so as to ensure the hygiene of the environment.
"In the wake of the influenza peak period, people are advised to maintain their personal and environmental hygiene while enjoying their leisure time at our venues," the spokesman said.
"They should avoid any contact with wild birds or their droppings, and should not feed birds at LCSD venues to prevent germs that birds may carry and spread."
The spokesman pointed out that as stipulated in the Pleasure Grounds Regulations Cap. 132 Section 11, it was an offence to feed birds at leisure grounds.
Notices bearing these messages have been put up at LCSD's parks.
Flyers were produced and distributed to the park-goers at today's cleaning operation.
"The LCSD staff have stepped up patrols and urge people not to feed or get too close to birds kept at the venues or wild birds found there.
"In accordance with regulations, appropriate follow-up action will be taken against anyone who fails to comply after a warning," the spokesman noted.
He pointed out that presently the LCSD had a collection of some 1,500 birds at four aviaries at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens, Hong Kong Park, Kowloon Park and Yuen Long Park. Precautionary measures have already been adopted to prevent avian flu.
The Department's veterinarian closely monitors the health of the bird collections. Other precautionary measures taken to ensure the health of the bird collections include increasing the frequency of testing bird faeces, cleaning bird cages (from twice to three times a day) and suspending the acquisition of birds.
Covers or temporary sheds have been installed at open bird lakes and respective bird cages so that the birds can be completely screened off if there is an imminent need.
To ensure personal hygiene, the staff should strictly observe a set of departmental guidelines for handling birds in the course of their work.
All cleaning staff (including contractors' staff) are instructed to properly handle dead birds found at any LCSD venue and to clear bird droppings left on the grounds.
"Concerted efforts will be made to maintain the cleanliness of our venues," the department spokesman said.
"Meanwhile, we will maintain close liaison with the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and the Department of Health, and monitor the possible spread of the disease in neighbouring areas of Hong Kong in order to adopt appropriate precautionary measures."
The special cleaning operations were carried out at the following parks: Kowloon Park and Yuen Po Street Bird's Garden in Yau Tsim Mong District; Tung Chau Street Park in Sham Shui Po District; Kowloon Tsai Park in Kowloon City District; Laguna Park in Kwun Tong District; Morse Park No. 3 in Wong Tai Sin District; Quarry Bay Park and Victoria Park in Eastern District; Wan Chai Park in Wan Chai District; Aberdeen Promenade in Southern District; Hong Kong Park and the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens in Central and Western District; North District Park in North District; Tai Po Waterfront Park in Tai Po District; Sha Tin Park in Sha Tin District; Po Hong Park in Sai Kung District; Yuen Long Park in Yuen Long District; Tuen Mun Park in Tuen Mun District; Shun Mun Valley Park in Tsuen Wan District; Tsing Yi Park in Kwai Tsing District; and Man Tung Road Park in Islands District.
Ends/Sunday, November 20, 2005
Issued at HKT 17:02
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