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The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSARG) has communicated with the Ministry of Agriculture over the death of some chickens in a poultry retail market in Liwan, Guangzhou and a poultry wholesale market in Lishui town, Nanhai district, Foshan, Guangdong, a spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau said today (March 15).
The HKSARG learnt that the Guangdong authorities were investigating into the cause for chicken deaths in Liwan. Since the chickens in question came from a stall in a poultry wholesale market in Lishui town, Nanhai district, the Foshan authorities had culled some 2,000 live poultry of the relevant stall as a precautionary measure. No abnormality was found among live poultry in Foshan so far.
"If the concerned market in Guangdong was confirmed to have avian influenza cases, we will take corresponding measure by suspending the import of live poultry and poultry products from the zone of 13-kilometre radius of the infected area for 21 days.
"The decision was made after making reference to the guidelines set by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations and the World Organisation for Animal Health and assessing the control and prevention of avian influenza as well as the related inspection and quarantine measures in Guangdong Province.
"We understood that the Guangdong Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau had checked whether there are any registered live poultry farms near the concerned markets. After verification, there are neither registered live poultry farms nor processing plants for supplying chilled and frozen poultry meat to Hong Kong in the zone of 13-kilometre radius of the two relevant markets.
"No abnormality was found in chickens in registered farms in Guangdong Province currently. We will continue to maintain close liaison with the Mainland authorities and monitor the latest development as well as the preventive and control measures adopted by the Mainland.
"The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) will send staff to inspect the bio-security and quarantine measures in some registered farms in Guangdong to ensure the food safety of chickens supplied to Hong Kong," the spokesman said.
Moreover, the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health (DH) has contacted the Department of Health of Guangdong Province and learnt that no human case of avian influenza was found in Guangdong Province.
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 stay alert and strive to deter the smuggling of poultry and birds into 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 Government would also strengthen its enforcement actions against the public bringing live poultry and poultry meat into Hong Kong illegally.
The DH would step up health advice to travellers by broadcasting health messages at immigration control points and distributing health advice leaflets.
On personal health, the spokesman reminded the public to avoid touching live poultry and birds and their droppings. If they contact live poultry and birds, they should wash their hands thoroughly with 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 areas with avian influenza outbreak 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/Saturday, March 15, 2008
Issued at HKT 21:43
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