Press Releases
HKSARG and Mainland authorities held meeting to strengthen prevention and control of H7 avian influenza (with photo)
Representatives of the Food and Health Bureau, the Agriculture,
Fisheries and Conservation Department, and the Food and Environmental
Hygiene Department of Hong Kong held an urgent meeting with
representatives of the General Administration of Quality Supervision,
Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ), representatives of the entry-exit
inspection and quarantine authorities of Guangdong, Shenzhen, Zhuhai
and Hainan, as well as the Macao SARG in Zhuhai on April 7, 2013. The
meeting has been called to formulate concerted responses to the H7N9
avian influenza (AI) outbreak in humans in the eastern region of the
Mainland, including ensuring the safety of live poultry and poultry
products supplied to Hong Kong. The participants have assessed the
prevailing situation and exchanged information on the preventive and
control measures against H7N9 AI that have been or are being put in
place. The meeting also discussed measures for further protecting the
safety and hygiene of live poultry and poultry products supplied to
Hong Kong.
The AQSIQ and the relevant entry-exit inspection and quarantine
authorities have taken vigorous measures to prevent AI. At present,
all live poultry and poultry products bound for Hong Kong would have
been tested against H7 AI beforehand. Only those which have passed the
test would be issued a health certificate for export to Hong Kong.
Since 2010, the relevant entry-exit inspection and quarantine
authorities have tested a total of 570 000 specimens for AI, covering
both H5 and H7 AI antigens. All results were negative.
To strengthen the preventive and control measures against H7 AI, the
meeting agreed to immediately step up surveillance in live poultry and
poultry products bound for Hong Kong, by increasing the sample size
and the frequency of farm inspections. The meeting also discussed and
reached consensus on various issues including the development of other
testing methods, surveillance frequency, validation of testing
standards and results, and provision of technical training.
Besides, Hong Kong will start shortly to conduct tests against H7 AI
in imported live poultry upon their entry at the Man Kam To Control
Point. Currently, Hong Kong has a standing practice of conducting H7
AI surveillance in dead wild birds, as well as specimens taken from
local chicken farms, poultry wholesale market and retail outlets. In
the past three years, over 18 000 dead birds and over 15 000 specimens
from poultry and the environment had been tested for H7 AI. No H7 AI
had been detected so far.
The Hong Kong representatives have also informed the Mainland
authorities that in the event that there is any poultry AI infection
case in Hong Kong (covering both H5 and H7 AI cases), Hong Kong would
undertake culling operations as necessary in accordance with the
advice of the World Organisation for Animal Health . Hong Kong would
also suspend the import of live poultry and conduct thorough cleansing
of sites concerned in order to minimise the risk of a major AI
outbreak in Hong Kong.
The Government would continue to liaise closely with the relevant
Mainland authorities and will keep them immediately informed of H7 AI
cases, if any. Hong Kong would also step up preventive and
surveillance measures against H7 AI.
Ends/Monday, April 8, 2013
Issued at HKT 10:00
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Photo