Hong Kong's Center for Health Protection has embarked on a public awareness
campaign and stocked up on vaccine to head off the potential for an outbreak of
the deadly bird flu.
Controller Leung Pak-yin said there was a slim chance of an avian flu
outbreak in Hong Kong. But he warned there was a certain degree of risk as there
were suspected cases of human-to-human infection of the virus in neighboring
countries.
He said the center would liaise with the World Health Organization on bird
flu.
Leung said cross-departmental meetings and public forums would be held in the
city for medical professionals and the public to assess the potential risk and
map a response.
The public has been urged to improve environmental and hygiene standards.
Leung has called on the poultry sector to strictly enforce vaccinations and
reduce contact between humans and poultry.
The capabilities of the Center for Health Protection, which was established
on June 1, to monitor and control infectious diseases has also been
strengthened.