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The Government would spare no effort in safeguarding the public from suffering an avian influenza attack amid an increasing threat posed by the lethal virus, the Permanent Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Mrs Carrie Yau, said today (February 16).
Mrs Yau, who is also the chairperson of the Inter-Departmental Action Co-ordinating Committee, convened a committee meeting this afternoon to review the precautionary measures adopted by the various relevant departments to guard against bird flu.
While the actions taken so far had proved effective, members agreed that there was no room for complacency and the Government should continue to be on the alert and be prepared to fight against the threat of avian influenza.
In recent weeks, the Government had stepped up its precautionary measures and strengthened surveillance on wild birds as well as poultry farms and stalls. Customs officers, in conjunction with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, had also tightened inspections at sea, land and air boundaries to deter smuggling activities on birds and poultry.
As part of the measures to reduce the risk of H5N1 infection among poultry for the sake of public health, a ban on backyard poultry came into force on Monday. A publicity campaign was launched on February 3 and an Announcement in the Public Interest was being broadcast now to remind the public of the new measure. The AFCD and the Environmental Protection Department would continue to inspect the villages to enforce the ban and seize backyard poultry.
Mrs Yau said the international community, including some European countries had adopted similar precautionary measures to restrict contact between humans and birds following discovery of dead birds infected with H5N1. Also recent cases of human infection were linked to backyard farming where no biosecurity arrangements (eg, bird-proof nets against cross infection by wild birds) could be made.
"Every government authority is racing against time to stop cross infection from wild birds to live poultry and then to humans. The World Health Organisation has advised us that in fighting infectious disease, the most effective approach is one that is community-based and multi-sectoral.
"Hong Kong should be proud to have set a good example in banning backyard farming within a short time frame, thanks to the cooperation from our civic-minded members of the community," Mrs Yau said.
Mrs Yau pointed out that H5N1 was a highly pathogenic disease causing an average five deaths in 10 people, adding that the mortality rate was as high as 70% in Indonesia
"The Government has a duty to protect any family from being hit by this deadly disease," she said.
Noting the safety concerns of some workers involved in the enforcement exercise, Mrs Yau stressed that appropriate measures would be taken to protect workers from exposure to health risks in the operations and workers would be provided with the necessary protective equipment.
"The public were asked to lend their support to the Government's efforts to prevent pandemic flu by maintaining good personal and environmental hygiene as well as a healthy lifestyle. People should not bring into Hong Kong birds and poultry illegally, otherwise they may face prosecution. They should also avoid personal contact with wild birds and live poultry and clean their hands thoroughly after coming into contact with them", Mrs Yau added.
"The public could contact the Government by the general hotline 1823 if they come across any dead birds," she said.
Meanwhile, after the committee meeting, Mrs Yau briefed more than 50 consuls-general in Hong Kong on the Government's preparedness for avian influenza and the legislation to ban backyard poultry. She also listened to their concerns over the issue.
Mrs Yau told the consuls-general that Hong Kong remained highly vigilant over the issue in the light of more H5N1 infection cases being found in birds and poultry around the world. She said the SAR was strengthening its preventive measures and was ready to co-operate with its counterparts to tackle the threat posed by avian flu.
Ends/Thursday, February 16, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:48
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