Press Releases

Setting up investigation groups on avian influenza

The Food and Health Bureau (FHB) announced today (December 12) the setting up of two investigation groups on avian influenza.

The Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, said these two groups would spare no effort to investigate the avian influenza incident at the Yuen Long farm. Apart from gathering the scientific data and information in relation to the incident, the investigation would help the Administration to formulate more effective measures and directions in the fight against avian influenza.

The two investigation groups are responsible for conducting the epidemiological study of avian influenza on the index farm and the vaccine study respectively.

The investigation group on epidemiological study will start with an in-depth examination of the biosecurity measures of the farm. It will take a thorough look at the preventive measures taken by the farm, the management and operation of the farm to see if there are any shortcomings. The group will try to identify the source of infection and the way which the virus could have got into the farm.

The investigation group on vaccine study will be responsible for conducting research and tests on the efficacy of the existing H5N2 vaccine. The group will also study the effectiveness and quality of alternative vaccines, to see if they are applicable to the situation in Hong Kong. The information and data gathered would facilitate the Administration in the choice of the most suitable vaccine.

The two groups comprised of representatives from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, the Department of Health and the Centre for Health Protection, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and the Centre for Food Safety, and the Customs and Excise Department. Professor Yuen Kwok-yung and Dr Lo King-shun from the University of Hong Kong, and an expert from the Ministry of Agriculture are also invited to join the groups.

Professor Yuen Kwok-yung is the Head of the Department of Microbiology of the University of Hong Kong. Dr Lo King-shun is the Head of the Laboratory Animal Unit of the University of Hong Kong.

Speaking on the investigation, Dr Chow said: "I hope a preliminary report can be completed in two to three weeks by the investigation group on epidemiological study to give us a better understanding of the avian influenza infection at the Yuen Long farm, a full report can be completed in two months. The investigation group on vaccine study will submit a preliminary report in two to three months, and the full report will be submitted as early as possible within a year.

"At the moment, there is no scientific evidence showing that the virus has mutated. There is also no sign of any human to human transmission. The objective of forming the investigation groups is to find out hard facts and data for us to better prepare for combating avian influenza in the future."

The membership list of the investigation group on epidemiological study is as follows:

Convenor: Assistant Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation (Inspection & Quarantine), Dr Thomas Sit
Members:
Head of the Department of Microbiology of the University of Hong Kong, Professor Yuen Kwok-yung
Head of the Laboratory Animal Unit of the University of Hong Kong, Dr Lo King-shun
Representative of Department of Health and Centre for Health Protection
Representative of Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and Centre for Food Safety
Representative of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department
Representative of Customs and Excise Department
Secretary: Representative of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department
Observer: Representative of Food and Health Bureau

The membership list of the investigation group on vaccine study is as follows:

Convenor: Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation
Vice-convenor: Deputy Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation
Members:
Expert representative of the Ministry of Agriculture
Head of the Department of Microbiology of the University of Hong Kong, Professor Yuen Kwok-yung
Head of the Laboratory Animal Unit of the University of Hong Kong, Dr Lo King-shun
Representative of Department of Health and Centre for Health Protection
Representative of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department
Secretary: Representative of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department
Observer: Representative of Food and Health Bureau



Ends/Friday, December 12, 2008
Issued at HKT 21:12

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