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Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government has stepped up preventive measures against the possible spread of avian influenza after the discovery of the H5N1 virus on a dead bird in Tai Po on Thursday.

 

Hong Kong Permanent Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food Carrie Yau on Friday assured the public that proper measures have been taken up by relevant departments to guard against avian influenza amid concerns that birds might spread the virus.

 

Yau, who is also chairperson of the Inter-departmental Action Coordinating Committee, added that all key departments concerned have stepped up various precautionary measures and strengthened surveillance on wild birds and nearby poultry farms following the confirmation of the case by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD).

 

"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."

 

She said measures taken in Hong Kong are generally effective in countering the threat of avian flu.

 

"Nonetheless, we cannot afford to be complacent and will continue to place public health as our No. 1 priority. The Health, Welfare and Food Bureau will continue its proactive role in coordinating inter-departmental efforts to combat infectious diseases through a population-based, cross-sectoral approach," she said.

 

AFCD staff on Friday visited Kam Shan Tsuen to monitor wild birds in the area. The department has also strengthened inspection of pet bird shops in the Bird Garden.

 

The AFCD will increase sample collection in the Bird Garden from once every week to every five days. Strict inspection and quarantine measures for import of pet birds had been in place, and a special permit must be obtained from the AFCD for importing birds, and it will be issued to only places where there is no evidence or suspicion of highly pathogenic avian flu being present.

 

Moreover, the birds have to undergo at least 14 days pre-export quarantine and be tested for H5 and H7 during the quarantine period before shipment. Each consignment must also be accompanied by a health certificate.

 

In a separate development, the Department of Health will heighten vigilance and closely monitor its surveillance system for human influenza in Hong Kong, which includes laboratory surveillance, a wide sentinel network of doctors, as well as outbreak monitoring both locally and overseas.

 

Besides, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has agreed with the live poultry trade to add one more rest day this month for more frequent cleansing of retail markets.

 

The FEHD will continue with the stringent control measures at the boundary on imported poultry. With the approach of the Chinese Lunar New Year and the increased number of imported live poultry, the FEHD will increase the testing and monitoring of avian flu on the imported poultry.

 

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) has maintained extra vigilance on the presence of bird disease within its collection of birds in four major parks.

 

Comprehensive guidelines have been issued to staff on the proper handling of dead wild birds found in its venues and submission of suspected infected birds to the AFCD for checking. Bird-keeping staff would follow strictly the departmental guidelines on contact with birds and personal hygiene.

 

In addition, the Housing Department will strengthen actions to preserve environmental hygiene and cleanliness in markets, and will intensify cleansing of public housing estates.

 

Moreover, estate staff have been deployed to frighten away feral birds.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 21, 2006)