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In response to media enquiries about a villager's decision to file a judicial review application against legislative amendments banning backyard poultry, a Government spokesman said today (February 28) that the ban was needed to protect the health of the public, including the poultry keepers, their families and neighbours.
"As no biosecurity arrangements or systematic vaccination could be instituted, backyard poultry is susceptible to cross infection by wild birds or migratory birds carrying the H5N1 virus.
"Avian influenza is a global issue warranting swift action on every government to take pre-emptive action to stop the possible occurrence of human cases which not only have a high fatality rate but also have adverse effects on the whole economy," the spokesman added.
According to the World Health Organization, the mortality rate for humans infected with avian influenza is higher than 50%.
The spokesman reiterated that the Government did not want to see members of the public being exposed to the risk of avian influenza infection brought by backyard poultry.
Ends/Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Issued at HKT 19:23
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