Press Releases

Consuls-general updated on avian influenza

The Government would continue to adopt stringent preventive measures to guard against avian influenza in view of the unprecedented viral outbreaks in Asia, the Permanent Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Mrs Carrie Yau, said at a briefing for more than 40 consuls-general today (February 12).

In the briefing, Mrs Yau said Hong Kong had taken various measures to minimise the risk of an outbreak of avian influenza and had developed contingency plans for a number of case scenarios.

"There have been grave concerns over the potential health risk of avian influenza to humans. The Government will closely monitor developments in the region and review the need for further preventive measures.

"We stand ready to work closely with our neighbours and international organisations to deal with the imminent threat posed by avian influenza," she said.

The Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Mr Thomas Chan; Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene, Mr Gregory Leung; Acting Deputy Director of Health, Dr Regina Ching; and consultant-in-charge, Infectious Disease Control Training Centre of the Hospital Authority, Dr Raymond Yung, also attended the briefing.

Ends/Thursday, February 12, 2004
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