Press Releases
Hong Kong stands up against avian influenza
Following the confirmation of the suspected human case of avian influenza H5N1
in Haifeng, Shanwei in Guangdong Province by the Ministry of Health, the Hong
Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) would from today
(February 26) suspend live poultry import and their products from the zone of
13-kilometre radius of possible source of infection for 21 days.
The Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, said, "It is understood that
the deceased patient did not leave the place of her onset during the incubation
period. She is believed to have contracted the illness through eating or
contacting sick and dead poultry. Initial investigation indicates there is no
sign of human-to-human transmission. We are of the view that the above-mentioned
arrangement is appropriate."
"We will adopt the same measure if similar human cases of avian influenza is
found in Guangdong Province in the future. The measure has made reference to the
latest guidelines set by Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations
and World Organisation for Animal Health. We have informed our Mainland
counterparts of the arrangement," he added.
According to the guidelines, one to five kilometre radius of the case where
avian influenza is found are known as the infected area, two to 10 kilometre
radius of the infected area are grouped as the control area. Control and
preventive measures are to be adopted within three to 15 kilometre radius of the
infected area to prevent the spread of the disease. After assessing the control
and prevention of avian influenza and the related inspection and quarantine
measures in Guangdong Province, HKSARG decided to set the total zone for the
infected area and control area at 13 kilometre radius.
The State General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and
Quarantine and the Guangdong Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau had
imposed stringent biosecurity measures on registered live poultry farms for
supply to Hong Kong to reduce the risk of avian influenza outbreak. Live poultry
had to receive vaccination and were checked that they had enough antibodies
before being sent to Hong Kong. Avian influenza found in non-registered farms or
backyard poultry would pose a relatively lower risk to Hong Kong as they were
not for export to Hong Kong.
Dr Chow appealed to the public not to bring live poultry to Hong Kong illegally.
He stressed that the top priority of the Government was to protect public
health.
The Government and the relevant Mainland authorities would closely monitor the
situation. Various Government departments in Hong Kong had stepped up control
and public education on avian influenza.
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) had fielded staff to
inspect registered live poultry farms for supply to Hong Kong in east Guangdong.
There is no registered live poultry farm for supply to Hong Kong in Shanwei, and
registered chilled or frozen poultry processing plant for supply to Hong Kong in
Shanwei.
The Centre for Food Safety had stepped up inspection and quarantine on avian
influenza virus test for live poultry import from the Mainland, with dropping
test increased from six batches a day to 12 batches a day. On top of this, 18
blood samples would be taken from each consignment of live poultry for testing
of antibodies. The Centre would also conduct strict surveillance on chilled
poultry, with health certificate of every consignment of chilled poultry being
checked at Man Kam To control point. Poultry meat would also be checked and
samples taken for inspection when necessary.
The Department of Health (DH) has put in place a four-week Enhanced Pneumonia
Surveillance Programme under which H5 test would be conducted by all public and
private hospitals for people who developed pneumonia with unknown etiology
within seven days after visiting places where human case of avian influenza was
reported in the past six months. The department would distribute health
information leaflets and display health messages at all immigration control
points.
DH has informed the Hong Kong Travel Industry Council of the relevant situation
and provided health advice to travel agencies accordingly.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) and FEHD have
stepped up inspection on local poultry farms, wholesale and retail markets. AFCD,
FEHD and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will increase checks on
country parks, streets and parks, and arrange cleansing promptly when droppings
are found. The Customs and Excise Department also stepped up surveillance at all
the boundary control points of illegal import of poultry.
Ends/Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Issued at HKT 22:02
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