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The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSARG) has been notified by the Ministry of Agriculture that the death of chickens in a poultry retail market in Liwan, Guangzhou was a confirmed case of H5N1 avian influenza infection, a spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau said today (March 16).
ˇ§Upon the confirmation of the case, the HKSARG will adopt corresponding measure by suspending the import of live birds, live poultry and poultry products from the zone of 13-kilometre radius of the infected area for 21 days. We come to the decision 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.
ˇ§The import suspension measure is a precautionary measure. Our primary objective is to safeguard public health,ˇ¨ the spokesman said.
The Guangdong Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau (GDCIQ) had verified that there are no registered live poultry farms or processing plants for supplying chilled and frozen poultry meat to Hong Kong in the zone of 13-kilometre radius of the infected area.
There are, however, two pet bird farms within the zone of 13-kilometre radius of the infected area. The HKSARG will suspend the import of live birds from these two pet bird farms for 21 days in accordance with the corresponding measure mentioned above. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) will continue to strictly enforce inspection and quarantine measures on imported pet birds.
ˇ§The GDCIQ has reaffirmed that no abnormality is detected in chickens in registered farms in Guangdong Province. In view of the confirmed avian influenza case, the authorities in Guangdong Province will step up control and preventive measures,ˇ¨ the spokesman added.
The HKSARG will continue to maintain close liaison with the Mainland authorities and the concerned government departments will step up their preventive and control measures to guard against avian influenza.
The AFCD, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) will 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 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, 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/Sunday, March 16, 2008
Issued at HKT 19:27
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