Press Releases
Hong Kong and Mainland study measures to further enhance prevention and control of avian influenza H7
Hong Kong will continue to communicate with the State General Administration
of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) and experts of
Guangdong, Macao, Shenzhen and Zhuhai to study enhanced monitoring measures
against avian influenza H7N9, as the risk of the disease has not yet been
eliminated and should not be treated lightly. Continuous assessment of the
risk and close surveillance of the disease are necessary.
The above remarks were made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko
Wing-man, when addressing the opening ceremony of the 2013 Guangdong, Hong
Kong, Macao, Shenzhen, Zhuhai Health, Animal and Plant Quarantine and Food
Safety Control Meeting in Shenzhen today (November 7).
"Since the confirmation of human cases of avian influenza H7N9 on the
Mainland early this year, we have been maintaining close contact with the
AQSIQ. The AQSIQ has kept us abreast of the latest development of the
disease and the corresponding preventive and control measures adopted with
regard to health inspection and quarantine as well as safety of live poultry
and poultry products supplied to Hong Kong.
"As regards live poultry and poultry products supplied to Hong Kong, the
relevant Mainland authorities have already taken a series of measures,
including enhancing the surveillance measures, increasing the sampling ratio
and the frequency of farm inspections, and introducing rapid test for avian
influenza H7 antigen and antibodies. These measures help ensure the safety
of live poultry and poultry products supplied to Hong Kong, fortify the
public's confidence in consuming imported live chickens, and safeguard
public and animal health," Dr Ko said.
Dr Ko added that experts from Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macao, Shenzhen and
Zhuhai will discuss and study other measures to strengthen the monitoring of
avian influenza H7 at the meeting. He hoped the experts could reach a
consensus soon.
After the opening ceremony, Dr Ko witnessed the signing of an action plan on
facilitation of inspection and quarantine clearance by representatives of
the five places. The action plan reaffirms and strengthens exchange and
co-operation in areas including health inspection and quarantine issues,
animal and plant quarantine, food safety control and clearance facilitation.
The 2013 Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macao, Shenzhen, Zhuhai Health, Animal and
Plant Quarantine and Food Safety Control Meeting is held today and tomorrow,
covering topics including health inspection and quarantine; animals, foods
of animal origin, plants and foods of plant origin supplied to Hong Kong and
Macao from the Mainland; and food safety.
Other representatives of the Hong Kong delegation attending the meeting
include the Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Food), Mrs Marion Lai;
the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Mr Alan Wong; and
the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene, Mr Clement Leung.
Ends/Thursday, November 7, 2013
Issued at HKT 20:35
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