Giuseppe
Emeritus
Re: _|Hong Kong PRC SAR: H5N1 IN CHICKEN|_
No genetic changes found in bird flu virus [But in the press briefing there wasn't mention to genetic tests date and time, samples' source - IOH]
There are no genetic changes in the H5N1 bird flu virus found at Po On Road Market, Secretary for Food & Health Dr York Chow says, adding more test results on samples collected from the retail market will be announced today.
Speaking to reporters after appearing on radio programmes today [See above IOH], Dr Chow said the Government has sent specialists to inspect both local and Mainland poultry farms and no abnormality has been detected. Poultry on the wholesale market and passing through Man Kam To have tested negative for the virus.
"The only abnormality we have detected is in the retail market. But there will be more results coming from the egg inoculation tests from the retail market later today. We hope with those results coming out, we can have a clearer picture of the extent of the problem. If any of these additional tests show positive results, we need to take action immediately."
Chicken cull
When asked why the Government allowed retailers to sell the chickens Monday he said it was not a political decision and the Government followed existing guidelines.
"If we find there is one retail site that has avian influenza, we will just cull (chickens in) that site. But if we have more than one site, then we will have a suspicion it will have spread. Then of course we have more justification to cull all the chickens. Up to last Monday, there is only site we have discovered to have the H5 virus."
On chicken smuggling, Dr Chow urged the trade to report any suspected cases.
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http://www.news.gov.hk/en/category/healthandcommunity/080611/html/080611en05005.htm
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No genetic changes found in bird flu virus [But in the press briefing there wasn't mention to genetic tests date and time, samples' source - IOH]
There are no genetic changes in the H5N1 bird flu virus found at Po On Road Market, Secretary for Food & Health Dr York Chow says, adding more test results on samples collected from the retail market will be announced today.
Speaking to reporters after appearing on radio programmes today [See above IOH], Dr Chow said the Government has sent specialists to inspect both local and Mainland poultry farms and no abnormality has been detected. Poultry on the wholesale market and passing through Man Kam To have tested negative for the virus.
"The only abnormality we have detected is in the retail market. But there will be more results coming from the egg inoculation tests from the retail market later today. We hope with those results coming out, we can have a clearer picture of the extent of the problem. If any of these additional tests show positive results, we need to take action immediately."
Chicken cull
When asked why the Government allowed retailers to sell the chickens Monday he said it was not a political decision and the Government followed existing guidelines.
"If we find there is one retail site that has avian influenza, we will just cull (chickens in) that site. But if we have more than one site, then we will have a suspicion it will have spread. Then of course we have more justification to cull all the chickens. Up to last Monday, there is only site we have discovered to have the H5 virus."
On chicken smuggling, Dr Chow urged the trade to report any suspected cases.
-
http://www.news.gov.hk/en/category/healthandcommunity/080611/html/080611en05005.htm
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