The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (April 14) that in view of notifications from the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Vesthimmerland Municipality in Denmark, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the area with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

     A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 960 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and about 90 thousand poultry eggs from Denmark last year.

     "The CFS has contacted the Danish authority over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreak. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said.

Ends/Monday, April 14, 2025
Issued at HKT 16:43

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