Hong Kong has stepped up preventive measures against the possible spread of bird flu after discovery of the H5N1 virus in a dead bird in Tai Po - the first in a year.
Permanent Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food Carrie Yau assured the public yesterday that proper measures have been taken to guard against avian influenza and its spread.
The dead, infected bird, a magpie, was found on Thursday near the mainland border of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Officials indicated that migratory birds had spread the disease.
Yau also said all key departments have stepped up precautionary measures and strengthened surveillance on wild birds and nearby poultry farms following confirmation of the H5N1 case by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.
"The recent avian flu outbreak among birds and poultry in the region is a cause for concern. However, there is no evidence to date to suggest that the H5N1 virus is capable of efficient human-to-human transmission," said Yao.
She said Hong Kong's measures are generally effective in countering the threat of avian flu.
"Nonetheless, we cannot afford to be complacent and will continue to make public health our No. 1 priority," she said.
Yao said the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau will continue coordinating inter-departmental efforts to combat infectious diseases by mobilizing the population.
Agriculture staff yesterday visited Kam Shan Tsuen to monitor wild birds.
The department has also strengthened inspection of pet bird shops in the Bird Garden.
The agriculture department will increase sample collections in the Bird Garden from once a week to once every five days. Strict inspection and quarantine for import of pet birds had been in place. A special permit must be obtained from the agriculture department to import birds.
It will only be issued to places where there is no evidence or suspicion of bird flu.
Moreover, the birds must be in pre-export quarantine for 14 days, and be tested for H5 and H7 during the quarantine before shipment.
Each consignment requires a health certificate.
(Xinhua)