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.