The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (August 18) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Tanum Municipality in Sweden, 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, no poultry meat and eggs were imported into Hong Kong from Sweden in the first six months of this year.
      
     "The CFS has contacted the Swedish 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/Tuesday, August 18, 2026
Issued at HKT 18:43

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