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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (August 6) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in various areas of Côte d'Ivoire, it has banned the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the country with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.
A CFS spokesman said Hong Kong has not established any protocol with Côte d'Ivoire for importation of poultry meat and eggs. There is no import of such commodities from Côte d'Ivoire.
"The CFS has contacted the Côte d'Ivoire authorities over the issues 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, August 6, 2015
Issued at HKT 18:22
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