Dead bird tested positive for H5N1 virus in HK
(Xinhua)Updated: 2007-01-07 10:24
The dead body of a scaly-breasted Munia found last week in the street of Hong Kong was confirmed to be H5N1 positive after a series of laboratory tests, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) of Hong Kong said Saturday.
It is the first case of H5N1 avian influenza strain ever reported in Hong Kong this winter.
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A department spokesman reminded people to observe good personal hygiene.
"They should avoid personal contact with wild birds and live poultry and clean their hands thoroughly after coming into contact with them," he said.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department on Saturday also urged the public not to release birds as they have little chance of surviving in the wild.
The department's spokesman said AFCD staff had contacted the community organizations concerned to make such an appeal.
"We reminded the groups and sought their cooperation and noted that they would spread the message to their members," he said.
On pet birds imported from the Chinese mainland, the spokesman said all of them must come from registered farms and must be accompanied by an official veterinary health certificate to certify the birds have been quarantined and tested free from avian influenza H5 viruses.
"Currently, there are two registered farms in Guangdong. The farms are inspected and monitored by the Mainland authorities concerned and AFCD officers also inspect the farms from time to time," he said.
"The farms which are allowed to export birds to Hong Kong must have no outbreak of avian influenza in the past 180 days. In addition, all the birds must have no clinical signs of diseases."
The spokesman emphasized that all consignments from the Chinese mainland must
comply with all requirements including health certification and subject to
inspection no matter they come by sea, air or land.
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