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Under the present surveillance programme on dead wild birds, preliminary testing of three bird carcasses collected in the past few days has indicated suspected cases of H5 avian influenza, a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (February 5), adding that further confirmatory tests were being conducted. The bird carcasses included a Grey Heron, a Peregrine Falcon and a chicken.
The spokesman said the dead Grey Heron was collected at Mai Po Nature Reserve on February 2. There is a chicken farm within three kilometres of where the bird was found. AFCD has immediately dispatched staff to inspect the farm and found no abnormal mortality or symptoms of avian influenza among the chicken flocks. The farm will be put under enhanced surveillance.
"As a precautionary measure, the Mai Po Nature Reserve will be temporarily closed to visitors for 21 days starting tomorrow. We will monitor the situation closely and review the closure period as necessary," the spokesman said.
On February 3, AFCD staff collected the dead Peregrine Falcon near Long Beach Gardens, Ting Kau, Castle Peak Road, Tsuen Wan and the dead chicken in Butterfly Beach, Tuen Mun respectively. There were no poultry farms within three kilometers of where the two dead birds were found.
The spokesman said that two more dead chickens were found at Lung Kwu Tan, Tuen Mun today, adding that preliminary tests for the H5 virus will be arranged.
As regards the avian influenza test results of the 20 bird carcasses collected on Lantau from February 1 to February 4, preliminary testing showed that three chickens and two ducks were suspected of the H5 virus and further confirmatory tests were being conducted; a duck was confirmed to be H5N1 positive; seven birds tested negative for the H5 virus; and the test on the remaining seven birds is still going on.
Separately, AFCD staff collected a dead chicken and a dead duck in San Shek Wan today. Preliminary tests for the H5 virus are being arranged.
AFCD staff inspected 169 villages in Hong Kong today and found two live chickens illegally kept by a man in a household at Ng Ka Tsuen, Pat Heung. The man will be prosecuted under the Public Health (Animals and Birds) Ordinance for unauthorised keeping of poultry.
During the inspection, one live chicken in San Uk Tsuen, Fanling and five live pigeons in Kam Sheung Road, Pat Heung were found unattended. After taking samples for testing, AFCD has disposed of all the poultry.
The spokesman said a ban on backyard poultry has been in force since 2006. Unauthorised keeping of five kinds of poultry -chickens, ducks, geese, pigeons or quails – is an offence with a maximum fine of $50,000. Repeat offenders are subject to a maximum fine of $100,000.
All relevant government departments will continue to remain highly vigilant and strictly enforce preventive measures against avian influenza.
"The public can call 1823 Call Centre for follow up if they come across suspicious sick or dead birds, including carcasses of wild birds and poultry," the spokesman said.
The spokesman reminded the public to observe good personal hygiene and avoid contact with wild birds or live poultry.
Ends/Thursday, February 5, 2009
Issued at HKT 22:54
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