Press Releases
Government steps up precautionary measures against avian influenza
In view of the detection of H5N1 virus on a dead bird found in Tai Po yesterday,
the Permanent Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Mrs Carrie Yau, today
(January 20) 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.
Mrs Yau, who is also the chairperson of the Inter-departmental Action Co-ordinating
Committee, added that departments concerned have stepped up various
precautionary measures and strengthened surveillance on wild birds and nearby
poultry farms following the confirmation of a dead Oriental Magpie Robin found
in Kam Shan Village, Tai Po yesterday by the Agriculture, Fisheries and
Conservation Department (AFCD) to have influenza H5N1 infection.
"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. So far, the series of
preventive measures we adopted in the community 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 number one priority. The Health, Welfare and Food Bureau
will continue its proactive role in co-ordinating interdepartmental efforts to
combat infectious diseases through a population-based, cross-sectoral approach,"
she said.
All key departments have recently enhanced surveillance and stepped up
precautionary measures.
AFCD staff today visited Kam Shan Tsuen to monitor wild birds in the area. No
dead bird was found nor was there any abnormality detected.
The department has also strengthened inspection of pet bird shops in the Bird
Garden. Traders have been reminded to strictly comply with the licence
conditions in view of the growing threat of avian flu.
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.
AFCD urged the public to observe good personal hygiene in keeping birds as pets.
They are also advised not to panic and not to release pet birds to the wild
since their chance of survival would be minimal after prolonged captivity.
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is
issuing a letter to doctors alerting them and providing updated information on
the local and global situation of avian flu.
DH 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.
Ongoing publicity and health education campaigns on avian flu prevention will be
maintained in the coming months.
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.
FEHD will continue with the stringent control measures at the boundary on
imported poultry. With the approach of Chinese New Year and the increased number
of imported live poultry, 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.
LCSD has advised people not to feed birds and wild birds in its venues, and its
staff will take prosecution action for non-compliance.
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.
All the cleansing staff (including contractors�� staff) will wear proper
protective clothing/gear while clearing bird droppings. LCSD would also ensure
health condition of their bird collections by, for example, increasing the
frequency of faecal testing of birds and cleansing of bird cages and suspending
acquisition and transfer of birds.
The Housing Department will strengthen actions to preserve environmental hygiene
and cleanliness in markets, and will intensify cleansing of public housing
estates by the way of "Operation Tai Ping Tei".
It will strengthen enforcement actions against misdeeds, such as littering and
spitting. Local management are requested to identify hygiene black spots and
areas with high density of feral birds/pigeons, and cleansing operations will be
intensified for these black spots.
Moreover, estate staff have been deployed to frighten away feral birds.
Cleansing contractors have been requested to clean/disinfect the press buttons
of lifts in public residential housing blocks three times a day. Rolling text
with message to remind estate residents not to feed feral birds/pigeons is being
broadcasted on the Housing Channel.
"Non-pharmaceutical prevention is just as effective in protecting oneself
against pandemic flu. The best way is to practise good personal and
environmental hygiene as well as adopting a healthy lifestyle. Frequent
hand-washing is paramount," Mrs Yau added.
Ends/Friday, January 20, 2006
Issued at HKT 19:32
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