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Three more markets found to have samples tested positive of H5N1 virus
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    A spokesman of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (June 11) announced that three more environmental samples taken from cages of poultry stalls in three markets were tested positive of the H5N1 avian influenza virus after laboratory tests.

    The three markets were Luen Wo Hui Market in Fanling, Yan Oi Market in Tuen Mun and Ap Lei Chau Market. In addition to Po On Road Market in Sham Shui Po where had already been cordoned off, there had been four markets with samples tested positive of the H5N1 avian influenza virus so far.

    To prevent the spread of the virus, the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation has made an order to declare all market stalls or fresh provision shops (FPS) which have live poultry for sale as infected areas and trading in live poultry must be suspended and culled immediately. In addition, all poultry carcasses sold or stored at these premises would also to be disposed of to protect public health.

    The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has cordoned off all the market stalls and FPS selling live poultry and prohibited the removal of poultry. As at 9 pm today, the number of live poultry slaughtered was 1 470.

    AFCD has inspected all 50 local chicken farms and Cheung Sha Wan Temporary Wholesale Poultry Market in the past few days.  No abnormality has been found so far. AFCD has taken samples for testing from local farms and wholesale poultry market. The test results for all samples so far have been negative and AFCD would continue to conduct further testing.

    FEHD has sent staff to Mainland registered farms and processing plants to ensure that chickens and poultry meat for supply to Hong Kong would not be affected.

    In light of the presence of avian influenza virus in three more markets, the Government has decided to suspend temporarily live chicken imports from the Mainland for 21 days with effect from today, with reference to the guidelines of the World Organisation for Animal Health. At the same time, local farms would stop dispatching chickens to the market.

    At the moment, there is no human case of avian influenza infection in Hong Kong. The Department of Health and the Hospital Authority would enhance the work on testing of human infection of avian influenza.  Particular attention would be paid to the health condition of poultry workers in the affected markets.  The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) has called on members of the public to seek medical treatment immediately if they have influenza symptoms such as high fever. Public and private hospitals as well as clinics should report to CHP immediately when there is any suspected case of avian influenza. In addition, CHP has set up a hotline 2125 1122 to answer public enquiries and monitor public health condition.

    The Government has all along been sparing no effort in cracking down on illegal import of live poultry and birds. The Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) together with the relevant departments would conduct a comprehensive investigation and step up actions to deter smuggling activities. C&ED calls on members of the trade and the public to report any smuggling of poultry and any intelligence to the Customs Information Hotline 2545 6182.

    The spokesman called on members of the public to avoid contacting live birds. After contacting them, they should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water.  Poultry should be thoroughly cooked before eating. Extra attention should also be paid to personal and environmental hygiene in guarding against avian influenza.

Ends/Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Issued at HKT 23:28

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