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MoA confirms H5N1 avian influenza in Jiangmen, Guangdong
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    The Food and Health Bureau received notification today (June 17) from the Ministry of Agriculture on a confirmed case of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza among ducks in Xinhui district, Jiangmen, Guangdong.

    In light of the confirmed avian influenza case, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) decided to adopt corresponding measures with immediate effect 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.  The import of pet birds is also suspended for 21 days.

    A spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau said: "The import suspension is a precautionary measure.  Our primary concern is to safeguard public health."

    The HKSAR Government had liaised with the Guangdong Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau (GDCIQ) for further information on the incident.  According to GDCIQ, there is only one registered farm which supplies live poultry to Hong Kong.  There are no processing plants for supplying chilled and frozen poultry meat to Hong Kong, no poultry egg farms and no pet bird farms within the zone of 13-kilometre radius of the infected area.

    The only registered farm found in the zone is located about seven kilometres from the infected area, which supplies small quantities of chukar and pheasant to Hong Kong.  This registered farm is found to have no connection with the 18 registered farms identified in the latest effort to trace the source of the avian influenza virus detected in some environmental swabs in retail markets in Hong Kong earlier this month.

    The spokesman added: "The GDCIQ has reaffirmed that no abnormality is detected in the chickens in registered farms in Guangdong Province.  In view of the confirmed avian influenza case, the relevant Guangdong authorities have stepped up control and preventive measures."

    The HKSAR Government would continue to monitor the latest situation while relevant government departments would step up their preventive and control measures to guard against avian influenza, the spokesman said.

    The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) would enhance inspection and monitoring of the environmental hygiene of the local poultry farms.

    The AFCD, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, 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 reinforce 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.  They should inform the doctor of their travel history and wear a mask to prevent spread of the disease.


Ends/Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Issued at HKT 23:53

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