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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (February 26) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza in Békés County, Hungary, it has banned the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the county with immediate effect for the protection of Hong Kong's public health.
A CFS spokesman said about 3 100 tonnes of frozen poultry meat were imported into Hong Kong from Hungary last year.
"The CFS has contacted the Hungarian authority over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the OIE on avian influenza outbreaks in the country. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said.
Ends/Thursday, February 26, 2015
Issued at HKT 16:41
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