****************************************
Preliminary testing of dead feral pigeons collected at the junction of Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road found that none of them carried the H5 virus, a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (March 14).
Eight dead pigeons were collected by AFCD staff yesterday following a public referral. Only four of them were suitable for testing.
"The chance of pigeons transmitting the virus is considered relatively low according to overseas experiences," the spokesman said.
He urged the public to observe good personal hygiene and avoid contact with wild birds and their droppings.
"Feeding of wild birds is highly undesirable. It will change their eating habits, attracting them to certain locations and creating an environmental nuisance," he added.
Ends/Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Issued at HKT 17:58
NNNN
