****************************************
Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, after officiating at a public function this morning (April 14):
Reporter: (On the spreading of human cases of Influenza A (H7N9) on the Mainland)
Secretary for Food and Health: In these two days, there were reports saying that confirmed cases were found not only in the eastern part of the Mainland, but also in the central and northern part, namely Henan province and in Beijing. This is an issue of concern. Evidences now showed or confirmed that the H7N9 virus is indeed widely circulating among the poultry population. The exact mechanism of how and why the disease has now affected Henan and Beijing remains an issue for the experts, particularly the experts in epidemiological studies for further investigation. I think we ought to take it as a warning sign and strengthen our preventive measures.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Sunday, April 14, 2013
Issued at HKT 15:29
NNNN
