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In view of a confirmed case of human avian influenza A(H7N9) as notified by the Department of Health of Guangdong Province, a spokesman for the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said today (August 10) that based on the information on hand, it was preliminarily confirmed that no registered farms or poultry product processing plants supplying live poultry and poultry products ?(including chilled and frozen poultry, and eggs) to Hong Kong were situated in an area of 13 kilometres radius from Henghezhen, Boluo, Huizhou.
The spokesman said, "Since April 11 this year, the CFS has started rapid tests for detecting avian influenza viruses, including H7 viruses, for every consignment of live food poultry imported from the Mainland at the Man Kam To Animal Inspection Station. Up to the end of July, some 3 300 samples have been taken and all test results were satisfactory."
"The CFS will continue close contact with the relevant Mainland authorities. At the same time, it will keep an eye on the latest development for deciding on the appropriate corresponding actions to safeguard local public and animal health," he stressed.
Ends/Saturday, August 10, 2013
Issued at HKT 22:45
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