Press Releases
SFH on avian influenza, Mainland pregnant women and Legionnaires' Disease
Following is a transcript of remarks (English portion) made by the Secretary
for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, after attending a public function this
afternoon (January 5):
Reporter: (On the risk of avian influenza.)
Secretary for Food and Health: The risk of avian influenza among birds,
particularly wild birds, is always high in wintertime in this region because
of the migration of wild birds and seasonal birds. The avian flu virus is
usually much more susceptible to infection among birds within this period of
time. But more important is to segregate the wild birds from the local
poultry. This is the most important point and this is the reason why we have
very strong biosecurity measures in our local farms. We also ensure that the
imported chickens from the Mainland are from authorised farms that have
strong biosecurity as well as vaccination measures. So far, the (situation
of) chickens imported last year had been quite satisfactory. I do not see
that the risk of chickens being infected is very high but we still have to
stay vigilant all the time.
Reporter: (On local farmers' requests for allowing more local chickens to be
sold in the retail markets.)
Secretary for Food and Health: We will allow a more flexible quota for them
to come to the market every day. But we also have to respect the consumers'
desire to buy live chickens in the few days after January 12. We will not
allow any chicken to stay overnight in the retail markets. That is a very
important regulation we have to upkeep.
Reporter: (On Mainland women giving birth in Hong Kong.)
Secretary for Food and Health: As the Chief Executive has already mentioned
our concern to the Central Government, our relevant bureaux will talk to the
Mainland authorities on how to tackle this problem together. I think I am
not in the position to comment on what they are doing because this is not
under my portfolio.
Reporter: (On the Hospital Authority's measures to tackle this issue.)
Secretary for Food and Health: You mean the capacity of the maternity
services? So far, we are able to cope with the requirement that is for both
Mainland as well as local mothers. Of course, the priority is always given
to the local mothers and we do not set any quota for local mothers at all.
Reporter: (On Legionnaires' Disease.)
Secretary for Food and Health: According to the bacteriologists, when there
is any place with water, there will be Legionella bacteria. I think this is
not realistic that we can get rid of all the bacteria. It is important to
ensure that the bacteria do not multiply and grow in the environment. I
think this is more important. So if we have stagnant water or water both
stagnant and at the right temperature, the bacteria will start to multiply
and grow. It is important for the water supply system to get rid of those
so-called "dead spaces" that might have such an environment for the bacteria
to grow in. According to the treatment we have done for the Legislative
Council building, the Chief Executive's Office as well as our Tamar Central
Government Offices, we feel that we have reduced the majority of the
bacteria in the system. But we are still doing some sample testing in the
coming week. Some of the samples have been already collected one or two days
ago from those places that have tested positive. If, in the next four or
five days, we can prove that there is no growth (of bacteria) from these
samples, we can declare that it is relatively safe.
(Please also refer to the
Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Thursday, January 5, 2012
Issued at HKT 18:57
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