*******************************************************
People should visit the website on avian influenza for up-to-date information and measures adopted by the Government, the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, said today (March 9).
The website is http://www.info.gov.hk/info/flu/eng/index.htm.
"Experience has shown that clear public information is critical to help protect human health if people are fully aware of the risk as well as preventive measures against infectious diseases.
"As the website is one of the direct ways to relay messages of avian influenza prevention to public, people should make use of the website to obtain the information and take the necessary precautions accordingly," Dr Chow said.
Information including the species of birds infected with H5N1 found in Hong Kong, safety guidelines for handling and disposing of dead wild birds, health advice, latest Government press releases, etc are found on the website.
The handling of dead wild birds is a cause of concern. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department will regularly update the website with the latest details of the infected species, submission date for laboratory tests, and location found and a distribution map on the website.
Reporting of dead birds can be made by calling the government hotline 1823.
Ends/Thursday, March 9, 2006
Issued at HKT 17:10
NNNN
