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Mai Po Nature Reserve, which has been closed to the public since December 14, re-opens as from today (January 4).
With the detection of H5N1 virus on a dead Grey Heron which was found within three kilometres of Mai Po, the nature reserve was closed as part of precautionary measures adopted to minimise human contact with birds.
"As there has not been any new case of birds infected with H5 virus found near the nature reserve in the past 21 days, which is the standard of the World Organisation for Animal Health, the Government has decided to re-open it to the public," a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today.
But the spokesman warned that people should still be alert.
"People should observe good personal hygiene and avoid contact with wild birds and their droppings. They should also wash their hands thoroughly after contact with wild birds and their droppings," he said.
The department will work closely with the World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong to ensure that sufficient precautionary measures are being taken.
The department has maintained a stringent monitoring regime on wild birds in the Mai Po Nature Reserve and has been collecting faecal samples for H5 avian influenza tests since winter 2002.
"We will continue to be vigilant and maintain surveillance of wild birds," the spokesman said.
Ends/Friday, January 4, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:51
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