Hong Kong bans import of poultry meat and products from areas in Hungary and Vietnam

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     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (February 27) that in view of notifications from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza in Gyor-Moson-Sopron, Veszprem and Somogy Counties in Hungary, and an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in An Giang Province in Vietnam, the CFS has banned the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the above areas with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

     A CFS spokesman said that Hong Kong imported about 4 400 tonnes of frozen and chilled poultry meat from Hungary last year. At present Hong Kong has an established protocol with Vietnam for the import of poultry eggs but not for poultry meat. No poultry eggs were imported into Hong Kong from Vietnam last year.

     "The CFS has contacted the Hungarian and Vietnamese authorities over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the OIE on avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said.

Ends/Monday, February 27, 2017
Issued at HKT 17:53

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