Press Releases
SFH attaches great importance to biosecurity of local chicken farms
The Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, said today (March 5) that
Hong Kong should continue to stay on full alert and stringently implement
various preventive measures against avian influenza which posed an imminent
threat to the world community.
"To help achieve such a task, the biosecurity measures of local chicken
farms will be vital to minimise the risk of avian influenza," Dr Chow said.
He was commenting on the Epidemiology Report of the Agriculture, Fisheries
and Conservation Department (AFCD) on the outbreak of highly pathogenic
avian influenza H5N1 last December in a chicken farm in Ha Tsuen, Yuen Long.
He said: "The findings of the report show that stringent biosecurity
measures play a crucial role in preventing outbreaks of avian influenza in
local farms."
Dr Chow noted the report made a number of recommendations for improving the
biosecurity standards and measures of local farms, such as stepping up
inspection on farms and blood tests on chickens to ensure the health of
chickens and reduce the chance of farm workers being infected with avian
influenza.
He added that the effective implementation of these new measures would hinge
on the joint efforts by the chicken farmers and the Government which could
enhance the farms' capability in safeguarding against avian influenza.
He said: "I have asked the AFCD to maintain close liaison with chicken
farmers when implementing the recommendations and render assistance to them
to adapt to the new measures. It is hoped that the new measures can be
implemented smoothly and as soon as possible."
In addition, the Government will carry out preventive measures to rigorously
guard against avian influenza at various levels, including the import of
live chickens, wholesale market and retail outlets, with a view to
protecting public health.
The Food and Health Bureau set up the Investigation Group on Epidemiological
Study, chaired by the Assistant Director of the AFCD, Dr Thomas Sit,
following the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 at a
chicken farm in Yuen Long.
The investigation group released the report today and made a number of
recommendations to further enhance the biosecurity measures of local farms
to guard against avian influenza.
Ends/Thursday, March 5, 2009
Issued at HKT 17:00
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