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Exercise tests avian influenza outbreak response (with photos)
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     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (October 20) carried out an exercise to review the department's preparedness in case a poultry culling operation is required in response to an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Hong Kong.
 
     About 100 staff members of the AFCD, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health and the Civil Aid Service took part in the exercise to familiarise themselves with the work procedures and biosecurity measures necessary for carrying out the operation, such as procedures for wearing and removing protective gear as well as the disinfection and disposal of carcasses, and to test the response plans.
 
     A field command centre and a mock chicken farm were set up at the exercise venue for participants to carry out their frontline duties, which included mobilising staff and resources, setting up different operation areas in the mock chicken farm, and following personal biosecurity guidelines when entering and leaving the mock chicken farm.
 
     The Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Food), Mrs Cherry Tse, observed the frontline operations. She pointed out that avian influenza occurred from time to time in different parts of the world, and Hong Kong should stay vigilant at all times. It is therefore of utmost importance to ensure that the relevant departments are prepared to execute effectively the contingency plan in case a culling operation in Hong Kong is necessary.
 
     In addition to rolling forward various prevention and control measures, the Government will step up surveillance before the winter season. These measures include conducting surprise inspections targeting local poultry farms and pet bird shops, the collection of more samples from the wholesale poultry market and retail outlets for tests on avian influenza, and enhanced actions to combat the illegal import of live birds at boundary control points.
 
     The AFCD has notified the World Organisation for Animal Health of the exercise.
 
Ends/Thursday, October 20, 2016
Issued at HKT 16:45
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The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (October 20) carried out an exercise to review the department's preparedness in case a poultry culling operation is required in response to an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Hong Kong. Accompanied by the Acting Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Dr So Ping-man (second left), the Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Food), Mrs Cherry Tse (first left), is briefed by an AFCD staff member on details of the exercise.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (October 20) carried out an exercise to review the department's preparedness in case a poultry culling operation is required in response to an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Hong Kong. Photo shows staff members participating in the exercise culling mock poultry.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (October 20) carried out an exercise to review the department's preparedness in case a poultry culling operation is required in response to an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Hong Kong. Photo shows staff members participating sprinkling disinfectant onto mock poultry carcasses, simulating a poultry culling operation.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (October 20) carried out an exercise to review the department's preparedness in case a poultry culling operation is required in response to an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Hong Kong. Photo shows staff members undergoing a thorough disinfection upon completion of a mock poultry culling operation.