******************************************************
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government had today (September 17) received notification from the Ministry of Agriculture that the earlier suspected case of avian influenza H5N1 among ducks in Panyu, Guangzhou city, Guangdong Province, had been confirmed. In the light of the confirmation, the Government decided to suspend all imports of live poultry and birds, day-old chicks, poultry eggs, chilled and frozen meat from all farms within 24 km radius from Xinzao town for 21 days with immediate effect.
In addition, as the case in question was waterfowl infection, the Government would suspend all imports of chilled and frozen ducks and geese, as well as duck and goose eggs from Guangdong Province for one week.
The HKSAR Government would liaise closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Guangdong Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau (GDCIQ) to keep abreast of the development of the epidemic and of control measures taken.
The Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, said if there was any change in condition, the Government would adjust the import arrangements accordingly to further protect public health.
In the meantime, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and the GDCIQ will jointly inspect some of the registered poultry farms which continued to supply live chickens to Hong Kong, to ascertain that chickens for supply to Hong Kong were safe for consumption.
Dr Chow stressed that the import suspension was a precautionary measure. So far, no problem had been detected in Mainland poultry and poultry products supplying to Hong Kong. The HKSAR Government had informed the relevant Mainland authorities of the measures.
The Government would also cancel the previously announced arrangement to allow the increase in live chicken imports from the Mainland for the Mid-Autumn Festival to 70000 chickens daily. As expressly stated earlier, the arrangement of lifting the ceiling of live chicken import would be withdrawn if avian influenza infection was found in human or poultry in Guangdong or Hong Kong prior to or during this period.
Dr Chow pointed out: "In the face of the impending risk posed by avian influenza to Hong Kong and the adjacent areas, there is a pressing need for the Government to adopt measures to guard against any outbreak of avian influenza ."
While saying there was no need to be overly concerned, he called on the public to stay alert and observe good personal and environmental hygiene.
Meanwhile, various government departments would step up measures to prevent avian influenza. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) and FEHD would enhance inspection and surveillance of the hygiene conditions in all local live poultry farms, as well as wholesale and retail markets. The FEHD would step up the testing of Mainland live chickens.
AFCD, FEHD, the Customs and Excise Department, the Police and the relevant Mainland authorities would strive to deter illegal import of poultry and birds to Hong Kong to prevent an increase in the risk of avian influenza outbreak brought by poultry and birds that had not gone through inspection and quarantine.
The Department of Health would step up health advice to travellers by broadcasting health messages at immigration control points and distributing health advice leaflets.
On personal health, members of the public should avoid touching live poultry and birds and their droppings. If they contact live poultry and birds, they should wash hands thoroughly with liquid soap and water immediately afterwards. Poultry and eggs should be thoroughly cooked before eating. When travelling outside Hong Kong, the public should avoid touching live poultry and birds.
Travellers returning from endemic areas should consult doctors immediately if they have symptoms of influenza after the trip. They should inform the doctor of their travel history and wear a mask to prevent spread of the disease.
Ends/Monday, September 17, 2007
Issued at HKT 21:10
NNNN
