_|Hong Kong PRC SAR: H5N1 IN CHICKEN|_

[Treyfish]

Re: _|Hong Kong PRC SAR: H5N1 IN CHICKEN|_

"If we do not find any human cases by the end of next Wednesday we will be quite confident there is no human spread," Dr Chow said. I guess this means they are not confident now? ..Commentary

Guangdong H5N1 Raises Global Expansion Concerns
Recombinomics Commentary 08:59
June 18, 2008

A Hong Kong factory owner based in Yashan said yesterday that most of the duck farmers in the village were from Zhejiang province, rather than locals, and dozens of them bred fish and ducks together.

"I've heard of massive deaths of ducks for several days. Initially, farmers were reluctant to report the case to the local agriculture and fisheries department but, when the virus spread, they could no longer cover it up any more and the officials came," the factory owner said.

The above comments suggest that the recently reported fatal H5N1 infections in ducks in Guangdong province may be more widespread in China. The recent reports on H5N1 positive dead ducks in Jiangmen is not a surprise since H5N1 was recently reported in Hong Kong for the first time in five years. However, the H5N1 in Hong Kong was in asymptomatic chickens, while the H5N1 in Jiangmen, (see satellite map) and additional areas in China is from dead ducks. It is unclear if this difference is linked to changes in the H5N1 or difference in the vaccination status of infected flocks.

Although no recent H5N1 sequences have been released from Hong Kong or southern China, sequences have been published from recent outbreaks in Japan and Russia. The published sequences are almost identical and are said to also be closely related (over 99.7%) to sequences in South Korea.

The HA sequences, which are clade 2.3.2 (Fujian subclade), appear to be closely related to A/common magpie/Hong Kong/5052/2007, based on mapping location in the phylogenetic tree published in the WHO report on H5N1 vaccine targets. The other seven gene segments in the 2008 published sequences are clade 2.3.4 and most closely related to A/China/GD02/2006, which is from a patient in Guangdong province, which provides additional indirect evidence that the H5N1 circulating in Hong Kong is a similar reassortant.

The widespread outbreaks in Hong Kong, followed by the confirmation in Guangdong province adds evidence for a global expansion of the clade 2.3, since it now has been confirmed in long range migratory birds in Japan, which is also the likely source for the H5N1 in Russia and South Korea.

The linkage to Hong Kong provides evidence for transport along the Australia East Asia Flyway and suggests Fujian H5N1 may have already migrated to North America.:tiphat: http://www.recombinomics.com/News/06180801/H5N1_Guangdong_Expansion.html

 

[Treyfish]

Re: _|Hong Kong PRC SAR: H5N1 IN CHICKEN|_

<TABLE class=formlayout id=apex_layout_271110100662109808 summary=""><TBODY><TR><TD noWrap align=right>Published Date</TD><TD noWrap align=left>17-JUN-2008</TD></TR><TR><TD noWrap align=right>Subject</TD><TD noWrap align=left>PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza (80): China (Hong Kong, Guandong), UK</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

AVIAN INFLUENZA (80): CHINA (HONG KONG, GUANDONG), UK*****************************************************A ProMED-mail post<http://www.promedmail.org>ProMED-mail is a program of theInternational Society for Infectious Diseases<http://www.isid.org>In this posting:[1] China - Hong Kong[2] China - Guandong[3] UK - Oxfordshire[4] UK - Oxfordshire******[1] China - Hong KongDate: Mon 16 Jun 2008Source: News-Medical.net [edited]<http://www.news-medical.net/?id=39214>Hong Kong battling with bird flu outbreak-----------------------------------------An outbreak of the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus in poultry in Hong Kong food markets has led to the culling of live poultry across the city. According to government officials the bird flu virus was detected at a poultry stall in one of Hong Kong's numerous wet markets and as a result 2700 birds were culled.But the virus has now spread among the island's poultry population and mass cullings have been conducted as a precaution to try to control the spread of the virus. Officials say that all wet market stores and fresh food stores selling live poultry are now infected areas and all poultry will be culled, but poultry on local farms is not said to be affected. Officials say mass the cullings are a necessary precaution but no people have been infected and they are trying to trace the source of the outbreak.The outbreak of the virus, the 1st in Hong Kong wet markets in 5 years, has prompted Hong Kong authorities to suspend live poultry imports from mainland China. This year there have been a number of outbreaks of bird flu among migrating birds in the territory, which are the suspected culprits in spreading the disease worldwide and it was in Hong Kong that the world's 1st reported major bird flu outbreak among humans occurred in 1997, which killed 6 people.Since 2003 the lethal H5N1 strain has killed more than 240 people and decimated poultry flocks around the world and the major concern is that the virus will eventually mutate into a form that is easily transmissible between humans, triggering a global pandemic.--Communicated byroMED-mail Rapporteur Brent Barrett******[2] China - GuandongDate: Tue 17 Jun 2008Source: Reuters [edited]<http://www.reuters.com/article/middleeastCrisis/idUSPEK102705>China reports bird flu outbreak near HK border----------------------------------------------China on Tuesday [17 Jun 2008] reported a bird flu outbreak in ducks in the southern province of Guangdong, close to Hong Kong where poultry at all commercial markets was culled last week. The Guangdong outbreak, in a village administered by Jiangmen city, was 1st detected on 13 Jun 2008, the official Xinhua news agency said.The National Avian Influenza Reference Laboratory confirmed on Tuesday that the virus the birds contracted was a subtype of the H5N1 strain, Xinhua quoted the Ministry of Agriculture as saying. A total of 3873 ducks died of the disease and a further 17 127 were culled as part of a contingency plan that the report said had effectively contained the outbreak.Large parts of densely populated Guangdong province, which provides much of Hong Kong's poultry, have also been battling floods triggered by downpours in the past week. Hong Kong banned poultry imports from the Chinese mainland for 21 days since the 1st instance of the virus was discovered there in early June 2008.China reported its last bird flu outbreak in April in Tibet. It also recorded an outbreak in March in Guangzhou, Guangdong's provincial capital. With the world's biggest poultry population and hundreds of millions of farmers raising birds in their backyards, China is seen as crucial in the global fight against bird flu.[Byline: Guo Shipeng]--Communicated byroMED-mail Rapporteur Mary Marshall[China's last follow-up report on HPAI H5N1, No 13, was submitted to the OIE on 7 Apr 2008 (OIE Ref: 6945). The report, including a map, is accessible at:<http://www.oie.int/downld/AVIAN%20INFLUENZA/A_AI-Asia.htm>.The current discovery of outbreak(s) in Guandong was expected, in view of the recent re-introduction of the virus into Hong Kong, where an exemplary disease surveillance, prevention and control program has been operational since 2003. - Mod.AS]:tiphat: http://tinyurl.com/64vt5y</PRE>

 

[Treyfish]

Re: _|Hong Kong PRC SAR: H5N1 IN CHICKEN|_

Chow under fire for `stupid' plan

<!-- Health chief York Chow Yat-ngok yesterday told legislators a ban on keeping live chickens in wet markets overnight may be the only way to avoid another bird flu outbreak.

//-->Carol Chung

Thursday, June 19, 2008 Health chief York Chow Yat-ngok yesterday told legislators a ban on keeping live chickens in wet markets overnight may be the only way to avoid another bird flu outbreak.

But his proposal was rejected by two pro- government legislators, one of whom described it as "stupid."
However, Chow surprisingly got support from the Democratic Party's Fred Li Wah-ming, who said the government must also work on a compensation package for affected farmers.
Secretary for Food and Health Chow said a ban by legislative means may be the only option available in the wake of the recent bird flu outbreak.
"The problem comes from the retail level, if the environment [the wet markets] cannot guarantee hygiene and health, we would be worried the same problem may return when live poultry sales resume," he said. "If the industry does not agree, we may resort to emergency legislation."
He hopes a law can be in place before the Legislative Council's session ends next month.
Chow said the government is considering compensation packages for vendors ceasing their businesses.
Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong lawmaker Wong Yung- kan called the threat of emergency legislation "stupid."
He said: "What is most urgent is to solve the problem of local farms, which are now overcrowded with chickens."
Wong, who represents the agriculture and fisheries sector, rejected the view that wet markets are dirty and not suitable places to slaughter chickens.
The Liberal Party's Tommy Cheung Yu-yan, chairman of the food safety and environmental hygiene panel, said the proposal "is not the most effective way to reduce the risk of H5N1."
But Li accepted the proposal as a necessary solution before implementing central slaughtering. "However, the government must simultaneously consider a compensation plan for the industry," he said.
New Territories Chicken Breeders' Association representative Wong Yi-chuen said the government's ban proposal would greatly affect the livelihood of the 50 poultry farms in Hong Kong.
He also estimated a loss of about HK$16 million if an existing ban on live poultry sales lasts until July 2 as proposed by the government.
On Tuesday the Food and Health Bureau imposed a 21-day ban on poultry and pet bird imports from within a 13-kilometer radius of a duck farm in Guangdong where nearly 4,000 ducks died last week. H5N1 was confirmed to have caused the majority of deaths. :tiphat: http://www.thestandard.com.hk/weeke...30&art_id=67450&sid=19418160&con_type=1&d_str=

 

[Commonground]

Re: _|Hong Kong PRC SAR: H5N1 IN CHICKEN|_

Zhuhai launched the highly pathogenic bird flu contingency implementation plan
2008-06-19 19:12:00
China news agency, Zhuhai, June 19 (Deng Yuanwen and Zhang Biao) - Reporters today from the Zhuhai Inspection and Quarantine Bureau was informed that the council has launched the "entry-exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau in Zhuhai immigration of highly pathogenic bird flu emergency implementation plan ", The implementation of two highly pathogenic bird flu epidemic prevention and control measures.

At present, Zhuhai, Inspection and Quarantine Bureau of the Office of Emergency Command Center implemented 24-hour duty system, the port inspection and quarantine agencies will also be further strengthened in accordance with the requirements of port inspection and quarantine disinfected to prevent the epidemic areas of products and live birds and not经检验检疫Products from entering Hong Kong and Macao markets, and take strict precautions against bird flu outside imported through ports.

At the same time, Zhuhai launched the local epidemic prevention and control of highly pathogenic avian influenza linkage mechanism, Hong Kong and Macao to Zhuhai area for the registration of live poultry farms in the epidemic prevention and control work.

At present, the Zhuhai area of live poultry for Hong Kong and Macao registered farms all normal and found no highly pathogenic bird flu epidemic.

http://64.233.179.104/translate_c?h...%85%E5%B1%B1%E6%9D%91&sl=en&tl=zh-CN&start=10

 

[Commonground]

Re: _|Hong Kong PRC SAR: H5N1 IN CHICKEN|_

Government emergency legislation to be "clear day"

Hong Kong is also available in the supply of live chickens on the 13th "the lifting of the ban", in order to avoid Yezhangmengduo, the Government proposed emergency legislation to force an iron fist live chicken markets do not stay overnight. Poultry industry strongly opposes, and threatened 90% chicken traders will close down and asked the Administration to give each file 10 times the compensation so that they "dispersal", otherwise they will be at Government House to protest. If the industry is no longer the sale of live chickens, but the fastest in the Hong Kong Government in 2011 to implement central slaughtering plan, meantime, believe that our people can only eat chilled chickens.
The Secretary for Health and Food York Chow stated yesterday, the market must be banned live chickens to stay overnight, so that the virus can not be accumulated in the markets, if the industry opposition, the Administration will consider emergency legislation the "clear day", "If we do not strengthen the measures, we Not comfortable to live chickens on sale in the market. "Firmly opposed to the trade and threatened to put the chicken protest, he said, understand that the industry has considerable resistance, but stressed that the" day-"is the only way out.
Dr Chow urged the industry to discuss sincere and pragmatic
-snip-
http://64.233.179.104/translate_c?h...aper.wenweipo.com/2008/06/19/HK0806190001.htm

 

[Commonground]

Re: _|Hong Kong PRC SAR: H5N1 IN CHICKEN|_

June 19, 2008

HK, Shenzhen hold avian-flu exercise
Hong Kong and Shenzhen health quarantine authorities have held a joint exercise to test their emergency response capabilities in the event of suspected human cases of avian flu at Shenzhen Bay Port.

Director of Health Dr PY Lam said the flow of travellers between Hong Kong and Shenzhen has been increasing and the exercise helps to strengthen the two cities' communication and collaboration in public health crises.

The exercise centred on scenarios in which passengers entering the port from Hong Kong or Shenzhen were found to have avian flu symptoms, including fever.

On the Hong Kong side, the Department of Health took the passenger to hospital for treatment and conducted thorough disinfection of the car he arrived in. The Shenzhen health quarantine authority activated its emergency response system.

A total of 80 people from the two cities' relevant government departments joined in the exercise, including those from the Immigration, Customs & Excise, Police and Fire Services Departments, and Radio Television Hong Kong.
http://www.news.gov.hk/en/category/healthandcommunity/080619/html/080619en05009.htm

 

[Commonground]

Re: _|Hong Kong PRC SAR: H5N1 IN CHICKEN|_

hat-tip Treyfish
[This is the simulation spoken of yesterday]

Cross-border emergency exercise avian infectious diseases

[2008-06-20]
[-] Bird flu haze shrouded in Hong Kong, Hong Kong and Shenzhen health and quarantine departments yesterday code-named "Compass" a joint exercise to test two cross-border public health emergency response, communications and cooperation mechanisms. A total of 80 people involved in the exercise, the Director of Health Dr Lam Ping-yan also to Shenzhen Bay Port inspection exercise process.
Test the two governments handling capacity
Yesterday morning exercises in Shenzhen Bay Port, tested the two governments dealing with suspected human cases of bird flu incident emergency response capabilities. Simulation of a private car from the Shenzhen Bay Port in Shenzhen to Hong Kong, the Department of Health port health officers at the control points are found on board a passenger with fever, after the initial assessment that the passengers may be infected with avian flu, the arrangement sent to Mary Jialie Hospital for further treatment, and docking on the passenger car a thorough disinfection.
At the same time, the Shenzhen health quarantine officers in Shenzhen Bay Port stopped a car carrying six passengers from Hong Kong to Shenzhen, one of them has a fever and other symptoms. Shenzhen quarantine authorities immediately launched emergency response mechanism.
As with the two patients had close contacts with symptoms but have not asked to return to Hong Kong, Shenzhen quarantine personnel to immediately inform the relevant departments in Hong Kong, made the delivery and medical surveillance of passengers on the corresponding arrangements.
http://209.85.171.104/translate_c?h...aper.wenweipo.com/2008/06/20/HK0806200042.htm

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: _|Hong Kong PRC SAR: H5N1 IN CHICKEN|_

Government discusses compensation with live poultry traders
June 20 2008, 12.22.00

The Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, today (June 20) said the Government had met the poultry traders, including farmers, wholesalers and retailers, this morning to discuss compensation needed for them to leave the business.

"We have in the meeting put forward our compensation proposals. The proposed compensation package, totalling about $1 billion, was worked out after taking into consideration objective factors, such as the trade's operation, turnover and avian influenza risks.

"This is a generous offer after taking into consideration that the trade has to close down its business within a short period of time," he said.

Farmers, wholesalers, retailers, transport operators and live poultry workers are entitled to receive compensation under the proposed package.

The compensation amount is about three times that of the package for voluntary surrender of live poultry licences or tenancies scheme made in 2004 and 2005.

"The Government's proposal is a very reasonable offer.

"I understand that the trade has encountered difficulties in their business in the past few years due to the threat of avian influenza. I am sympathetic to their problems and want to work together with them to tackle them.

"I hope the trade would adopt a pragmatic approach and reach a consensus as soon as possible, so that we can seek funds from the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council (Legco) within this legislative session. We are running out of time," Dr Chow said.

He added that the Government must be prudent in coming up with the compensation package.

The package involved public money and the community had already asked the Government to be cautious in using public money when giving compensation.

Compensation could only be made with the support of the Legco and the community at large.
-
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200806/20/P200806200237.htm
------

 

[Commonground]

Re: _|Hong Kong PRC SAR: H5N1 IN CHICKEN|_

1 billion to buy live chickens from the industry for 12 days-the ultimate decision on the closure of two optional one-chicken or chicken farmers protest
June 21, 2008

[Ming Pao - The Government intends to throw 1 billion yuan to buy live chickens from all sectors to 04/05 annual voluntary retirement three times the price of licensing conditions, limited farms, wholesale, retail and transport industries, that is, in the next 12 days in July On the 2nd to reach a consensus and decided to go in future markets of live chickens "-day" road, or "ultimate closure," all the more to the "bundling" the Bank of life and death decisions; Government and the chicken farmers and wholesalers of yesterday's talks break ( Show another version), next Monday (23) have a preliminary answer has always insisted the development of the poultry industry in Hong Kong chicken farmers were dissatisfied with the "death penalty", angry statement will "put the chicken" protest.

Dr Chow three times the compensation: pay a reasonable licensing programme

The Government has proposed tough means to the ultimate closure of compensation package, farm compensation from 680,000 to 15 million yuan from, wholesalers from 1.15 to 4.97 million yuan, retail chicken stalls pay 600,000 to 1.509 million yuan, transport operators are compensable 150,000 yuan, the affected 2,500 workers each pay 35,000 yuan. Secretary for Health and the Food and Ming Yue statement Monday that this is "a very reasonable option."

Government sources pointed out that the authorities are willing to open to the 2004/05 annual voluntary withdrawal of the licence three times the price of live chicken to make the ultimate closure of the industry, is taken into account in 2004 so far, the price of chicken has doubled up with the industry to be in a very short Time to choose, it raised this favourable conditions, "it is very difficult to have increased space", but may be the exact turnover of business, investment and other details to discuss the building.

July 2 without consensus gazetted mandatory day -

Because of distance from this session of the Legislative Council will end on July 18, less than a month, coupled with the earlier four local markets found that the H5N1 avian influenza virus, announced the suspension of retail chicken stalls selling live chickens on the 21st, will be in July On the 1st expire on July 2 that theoretically could be re-selling live chickens. The source said that the authorities have prepared two-handed, if the trade of live chickens on July 2 no consensus on the ultimate closure of the bank, the Journal Gazette that the amendment to require that all retail chicken stalls to be day-chicken.

The source said that the Government does not want an incident repeated delays to the next Legislative Council after the establishment of mention, probably in November failed to have the final decision. In fact, the Government also tend to trade off the broken, it has indicated that if not for the cross licensing, to implement central slaughtering in 2011 after the retail chicken stalls have been banned, then for compensation may not be the "three times the price" as high, only Will be calculated in line with inflation.

Claim to have the chicken farmers will take chicken, the Government pointed out that the farm licensing requirements of the chicken farm to the wholesale market only, or else they would be treated as breach of conditions, the authorities also hope that the farmers can remain rational and calm.

Sources said that the whole industry to the same fate, the Government does not accept the closure of retail chicken stalls in the election, but the wholesale or chicken farmers continue to operate the election programme, while not accepting the "clear day", while the ultimate closure of negotiations for compensation. If accepted pay licensing individual level, only in the whole industry chain sales create problems.

Government not to legislative or compulsory licensing

However, the Government only through "administrative measures" requested the live chicken industry to reach a consensus, not "mandatory" the bank or licensing. Government sources admitted that temporarily do not want to compulsory licensing legislation. Authorities next Monday will be met with the industry and understand its preliminary decision, if the choice of the ultimate closure of the industry, the Government should in the July 4 last Legislative Council Finance Committee on funding applications for compensation, also without a central slaughtering plan, the public only after ice Fresh or frozen chickens to eat chicken.

As for the current accumulation of local chicken farms in the execution arrangements, it was decided to "kill it全场scrap", and even eggs, day-old chickens can not stay.

http://translate.google.com/transla...com/&hl=en&ie=UTF8&sl=zh-CN&sl=es&tl=en&tl=en

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: _|Hong Kong PRC SAR: H5N1 IN CHICKEN|_

Government well aware of live poultry trade's concerns
June 21 2008, 14.42.45

A spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau today (June 21) said the Government was well aware of the concerns of the live poultry trade, adding that it would continue to exchange views with the trade over the two proposals of compensation for closing business and daily clearance of live chickens.

"In the face of the prevailing threat of avian influenza, the public are expecting the Government to take effective measures to safeguard public health.

"The two proposals put forward by the Government were meant to reduce the risk of Hong Kong from being attacked by the disease,'' the spokesman said.

He added that the trade's demands for the Government to shelve the proposals and resume live chicken trading on July 2 were not in line with Hong Kong people expectation of enhancing public health.

"We hope the trade could stay calm and study the Government's proposals in a sensible and pragmatic way in a hope of reaching an early consensus," the spokesman added.
-
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200806/21/P200806210205.htm
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[Giuseppe]

Re: _|Hong Kong PRC SAR: H5N1 IN CHICKEN|_

Sale of live chicken to resume on July 2
June 24 2008, 14.26.25

The Government decided to resume sale of live chickens Wednesday next week (July 2) with the introduction of daily clearance of unsold live chickens at retail outlets.

Meanwhile, the Government would give more time to live poultry traders and chicken farmers to consider the proposed buy-out package which totalled about $1 billion for winding up their business.

Speaking at the press conference today (June 24), the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, said:

"We have come up with such a decision after considering views of the parties involved and balancing the risk of avian influenza."

Dr Chow explained:

"As we have yet to identify the source of avian influenza virus detected in the four retail markets earlier this month, there is a need for the Government to escalate the preventive and control measures at the retail level before resuming the sale of live chickens. It is meant to protect public health."

The Government would gazette on June 27 to amend the Food Business Regulation (Chapter 132X) to facilitate the implementation of no live chickens stay overnight at retail markets.

The new regulation stipulated that retail markets and fresh provision shops could not retain live chickens from 8 pm to 5 am everyday.

Poultry stalls have to cull all the unsold live poultry before 8 pm and then cleanse the stalls.

Those who violate the regulation are liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six-month imprisonment, their licences or tenancies being revoked.

He added that there were about 400,000 chickens which are 85 days or above in the farms since June 11 when retail outlets selling live poultry were declared as infected areas.

"Although these chickens can be dispatched to retail outlets on July 2, their market value would be relatively lower than those of marketable age (84 days). In this case, we will provide a subsidy for these above marketable age chickens at $30 each to offset the possible difference in prices for local farmers," he said.

Dr Chow stressed that the most effective way of preventing avian influenza infection was the separation of humans from live poultry.

The shrinkage of live poultry trade has been projected and the trade's prospect was not bright.

He said: "Traders are well aware of the threat of avian influenza to the trade. In the course of discussions with the trade on ex-gratia payments, many retail traders told us they are inclined to accept our proposal if they were given more time to consider.

"In response to their demand, the Government will give one-month, i.e. before July 24, 2008, to poultry retailers and three-month, i.e. September 24, 2008, to poultry farmers, wholesalers and transporters to arrive at their own decision.

"If the majority (for example, about 90 per cent) of the poultry retailers accept our package to surrender their licences or tenancies, we will allow the entire live poultry trade to choose whether to accept the ex-gratia payment voluntarily. The amount will be three times of the ex-gratia payments for voluntary surrender of live poultry retail licences or tenancies in 2004/05. The total amount involved for the trade is about $1 billion.

"We give more time to live poultry farmers, wholesalers and transporters to take into account the latest development in the retail level before deciding their way forward and making a choice. This will also allow live poultry farmers to dispose the remaining live chickens in their farms through normal business channels.

"The proposed ex-gratia payments for winding up their business are reasonable. The Government must use public money prudently. We will continue the discussions with different sectors of the live poultry trade on the relevant arrangements.
-
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200806/24/P200806240321.htm

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: _|Hong Kong PRC SAR: H5N1 IN CHICKEN|_

SFH on measures to prevent avian influenza
June 25 2008, 7.14.00

Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, at a stand-up media session after attending radio programmes this morning (June 25):

Reporter:
(about ex-gratia payments to chicken farms)

Secretary for Food and Health:
We understand that the farmers want to have more compensation for terminating their business.

But we have to stress again that the formula for acquiring this amount is based on land resumption.

In land resumption, we take account of all the facilities they have. In our calculation, we have already included all the facilities and equipment at a price as they are new. We have not deducted any depreciation cost. It is a very generous offer. If they have any justification for any additional demand, they need to give us the details to justify that.

As I said, we only have very limited adjustment margin in this area. We hope they will be pragmatic and realistic when they come to give their offer to us.

Reporter:
(about the ban on keeping live chickens at retail outlets overnight)

Secretary for Food and Health:
If there is any chicken harbouring H5N1 virus in the body, it would have a chance to spread the disease to all the chickens in the neighbourhood.

Normally, the incubation period and rate of spread is from one day to about five days.

If the chickens are crowded together in a cage, the chance of (the virus) being spread is quite high. If we can get rid of the chickens within a matter of 15 or 20 hours, the virus load in the environment will be able to be kept at a low level during that period.

At the end of the day, after cleansing and disinfection, the (virus load) will come down to almost zero again. If we have that cycle every day, we will then have the chance of controlling the environment to have a very low viral level.

But if we allow chickens to stay overnight and mix with different batches of chickens that will come into the market, the chance of the virus being multiplied and spread will be very high.

The other consideration is related to the possibility of smuggling of chickens. If we have a mix of these chickens with any smuggled chickens, the chance of having outbreak of any type of chicken infection is also higher. The present policy that will be introduced by the subsidiary legislation by the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene is to ensure that we will have a reasonable environment for the market. It is not the ultimate aim. The ultimate aim is still to have central slaughtering and have no live chickens in our markets.

Reporter:
(about the resignation of the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development)

Secretary for Food and Health:
I feel very sorry about him leaving the team because we have been very good partners within the Principal Officials' team. He is a very capable secretary and a very good friend. I hope he will recover well and be able to enjoy his life. With his optimistic style, I am sure that he will enjoy the rest of the time after leaving the Government.

(Please also refer to the Chinese session of the transcript.)
-
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/rss/general_en.xml
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[Giuseppe]

Re: _|Hong Kong PRC SAR: H5N1 IN CHICKEN|_

LCQ18: Avian influenza virus detection
June 25 2008, 10.38.11

Following is a question by the Hon Emily Lau and a written reply by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, in the Legislative Council today (June 25):

Question:
Following the announcement on June 7 that some samples taken from the poultry stalls in Po On Road Market in Sham Shui Po were tested positive of the H5N1 avian influenza virus, the authorities still allowed the sale of live chickens in the remaining markets throughout the territory, and the number of live chickens involved was about 100 000. The authorities took 63 environmental samples from a number of markets on the same day for laboratory tests, and confirmed on June 11 that eight of the chicken faecal samples were tested positive of the H5N1 avian influenza virus. It was not until then that the authorities destroyed all live chickens in markets throughout the territory.

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) cannot locate the source of the infected chickens in question or rule out the possibility that some of them were smuggled into the territory. In this connection, will the Executive Authorities inform this Council:

(a) given that it has taken as long as five days before the results of the avian influenza virus tests carried out by AFCD were available, and during this period, members of the public might have been infected with the avian influenza virus as a result of consuming chickens carrying the virus but showing no symptom, or exposure to the market environment, whether the authorities will consider carrying out regularly the avian influenza virus rapid tests with results available in just one day, so as to detect the virus as soon as possible and thereby reduce the chance of the public being infected with the virus; if not, of the reasons for that;

(b) of the new measures to intercept the smuggling of chickens into the territory; and whether the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will carry out surprise inspections on live poultry stalls in markets, so as to curb these smuggling activities; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

(c) given that AFCD has adopted measures in various areas to monitor avian influenza, and yet some samples taken from the poultry stalls in markets were tested positive of the H5N1 avian influenza virus, whether the authorities will review if there is any loophole in the mechanism for monitoring avian influenza; if they will not, of the reasons for that; and

(d) given that the Food and Health Bureau advised in November last year that to implement the proposal of central slaughtering of poultry, the authorities were preparing the tendering documentation for the poultry slaughtering and processing plant, conducting the environmental impact assessment concerned and exploring how to reduce the impact of the implementation of central slaughtering on the trade, and they planned to submit the legislative proposal concerned to this Council in early 2008, and as the H5N1 avian influenza virus was recently detected in a number of poultry stalls, of the latest progress of the above work and the timetable concerned?

Reply:
Madam President,

(a) Performing viral genetic analysis by the use of the Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction techniques (RT-PCR) is commonly known as the rapid method to detect the H5N1 virus genomes and it requires a processing time of about four to eight hours.

However, according to the suggestions given by the World Animal Health Organization (OIE), the application of direct RT-PCR tests is to confirm if a disease is spreading following an outbreak, where infection is known or suspected.

All positive specimens must be tested by the use of embryonated egg inoculation for further confirmation.

Currently, virus isolation by embryonated egg inoculation is the worldwide recognised accurate method for avian influenza virus detection and confirmation.

According to the OIE guidelines on avian influenza testing, the specific pathogen free eggs must be incubated for at least four to seven days, with its allantoic fluid harvested for virus detection.

Allantoic fluid showing negative reaction is then passaged into another batch of egg for virus detection.

This method is generally applicable in an environmental surveillance system, so as to ascertain more accurately whether H5 and other viruses are present in the environment.

Therefore, the method of virus isolation by embryonated egg inoculation is applied in testing environmental swabs.

This is in line with OIE guidelines.

The Veterinary Laboratory of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has been accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia (NATA) to provide animal disease surveillance and diagnostic services consistent with international standards. All avian influenza testing is performed according to the diagnostic methods recommended by OIE.

(b) Relevant government departments, including the Customs and Excise Department (C&ED), AFCD, as well as Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), have maintained close liaison and exchanged intelligence relating to smuggling of poultry.

Joint operations are also carried out at various land boundary control points from time to time to intercept poultry smuggling activities. Besides, the C&ED has stepped up vigilance by increasing cargo inspection at all land boundary control points and during sea patrols, so as to combat poultry smuggling activities.

The C&ED has also strengthened cooperation with the Mainland Customs Authorities, including intelligence sharing and carrying out of joint anti-smuggling operations.

Customs and police officers will inform the AFCD of any poultry smuggling activities detected. The AFCD will then take appropriate prosecution actions against the offenders. As part of its publicity and educational efforts, the AFCD also distributes publicity leaflets at various smuggling blackspots from time to time.

To strengthen its efforts in combating smuggling, the AFCD regularly distributes or sends by post the "Illegal Import of Animals/Birds Information Envelope" to traders so as to gather intelligence on smuggling activities.

The FEHD officers conduct inspections on chicken stalls twice a day and check the receipts to ascertain the sources of live chickens kept in the chicken stalls from time to time. Upon receipt of complaints or intelligence concerning chicken stalls involved in chicken smuggling activities, the FEHD will carry out investigation.

Over the past year (as at June 10), a total of 78 investigative actions were conducted by the FEHD intelligence team and no irregularities were found.

Regarding the recent detection of avian influenza virus in the chicken faecal samples collected from the retail markets, the C&ED has conducted a special investigation with the AFCD and the FEHD to find out whether the incident is related to smuggled chickens and to step up anti-smuggling efforts.

C&ED officers have visited the markets and contacted the chicken traders to collect information, and distributed publicity leaflets calling on the trade and the public to provide information on poultry smuggling.

In order to further combat poultry smuggling activities more effectively, the cooperation of the trade is of utmost importance. If the trade can provide us with intelligence and information, this will greatly facilitate our anti-smuggling efforts.

(c) We have completed the review and announced the new measures on June 24, 2008.

(d) We have originally been preparing for the setting up of a Poultry Slaughtering and Processing Plant (the Plant). We have also identified a site in Sheung Shui for the development of the Plant. Nevertheless, the Administration has decided to introduce legislative amendments to prohibit overnight stocking of live chickens at retail level.

The live poultry trade has also approached us at the same time on the ex-gratia payments for surrender of licences. Implementation of central slaughtering is to achieve the objective of separating live poultry from humans so as to reduce risks posed by avian influenza. We therefore need to review the necessity of developing the Plant, taking into account the situation after the implementation of the new measures and also the progress of the discussion with the trade on the buyout package.
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http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200806/25/P200806250406.htm
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[Commonground]

Re: _|Hong Kong PRC SAR: H5N1 IN CHICKEN|_

hat-tip Treyfish

Three place medical officers Macao will discuss the prevention infectious disease tomorrow
2008-06-25 18:09

[on.cc special news]The Guangdong, Hong Kong, Marco three place's public health and the medical expert will have one on second in tomorrow to participation continually in Macao hold 8th time ?Guangdong, Hong Kong, Marco to prevent and control the infectious disease joint conference?. In the second conference, three place experts will examine infectious disease's overall situation, the public health event's urgent emergency measure and three place health expert's exchange. Department of health bureau chief Dr. Lin Bingen leads Hong Kong technical panel, member including department of health, hospital administrative bureau and food and environment department of health's representative. Guangdong Province health department deputy director Huang Fei and Macao Sanitation bureau Chief Li Zhanrun, will lead the locality the technical panel to attend the conference separately. http://svsurl.systransoft.com/?t=ou...=11d1def534ea1be0--2e8e951c-11abbf0c525--3f2d

 

[Commonground]

Re: _|Hong Kong PRC SAR: H5N1 IN CHICKEN|_

Live chickens for fear of avian disease virus into the host
http://www.wenweipo.com [2008-06-25]

[-] (LUO Jing-wen) in four poultry stalls in markets found with the H5N1 avian influenza virus chicken manure, the virus has not yet been traced to sources. Government sources said that the preliminary view that is not a simple problem of smuggling of chicken, I believe that the smuggling of chicken infected with the infection caused by other chickens, live chickens are now studying whether to become the host of avian flu, infected with the virus that infected the disease and not death, is expected to August this year there will be results.

The Secretary for Health and Food York Chow said at a press conference yesterday, the Government has so far failed to track earlier in the markets found that the avian influenza virus at source, the need to enhance the retail level of prevention and control measures and proposed licensing system to recover.
From the same source of the virus suspected
Government sources said that if the chicken traders can switch back licence to operate chilled chicken industry, and believes that the supply of live chickens in Hong Kong will be reduced, but that people should always be separated chicken, it is inevitable that sacrifice.

Government sources said that the beginning of this month in four markets chicken stall swab samples for avian flu virus confirmed positive, involving all samples of the virus gene is similar, most likely from the same source. However, the incident is located in multiple chicken stalls that may also be involved in smuggling of chicken mixed with each other after the infection, and the vaccine itself or the existence of the problem, and even live chickens has become the host of avian influenza virus.

For many years the scientific evidence that chickens infected with avian flu after the disease will soon be killed, but the news did not rule out the possibility of live chickens has become the host of the virus, the Government has commissioned two weeks ago, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and university research. Sources said that if the study confirmed that the virus is the host of live chickens, depending on the seriousness of the situation, to see if emergency legislation, not allowed to have live chickens in the retail market so that people separated chicken, reduce the risk.

http://translate.google.com/transla...HK0806250013.htm&hl=en&ie=UTF8&sl=zh-CN&tl=en

 

[Commonground]

Re: _|Hong Kong PRC SAR: H5N1 IN CHICKEN|_

[Out of all of the articles on this situation, I thought this article was the best I've seen]
Date :08-06-26

Hong Kong Government and the poultry industry is still in the negotiation stalemate, but has insisted that 10 times the compensation of poultry retail, attitudes have been signs of softening. Hong Kong Poultry Wholesalers and Retailers Association today and the department will return to the negotiating table, Chamber of Commerce Chairman Huang Weiquan yesterday that the industry bottom line, said that if the amount of compensation up to five times that of the industry is willing to consider.
According to the Hong Kong Wen Wei Po reported, although chicken, live chicken wholesale and transportation industry is still adhere to their mind, they scheduled today with the AFCD's meeting was also shelved, but the analysis refers to the retail supply of live chickens is an important link in the chain, if living Chicken retailers to accept compensation "dispersal", other industries can not survive.
Huang Weiquan said that the industry "walking on two legs", taking into account the "day-" and compensation package. However, if the Government can improve the compensation package, the industry will be seriously considered, earlier insisted the amount of compensation than 10 times the 05-year high demand, "Price said," and "mainly depends on the sincerity of the Government, if the Government is willing to improve to 4 , Five times the compensation, will seriously consider, but we also need to continue to attract the industry, suspense will not make a decision. "He expressed the hope that can directly with the Secretary for Health and Food York Chow talks to discuss better ways of handling.
Wang transport industry next month on the 2nd-sale of live chickens
However, other aspects of the original members still insist position. Kowloon Poultry Transporter and Industry Association, said Wang Deliang, transport the most hope next month on the 2nd-sale of live chickens, "We have not sought compensation, the government suddenly said 150,000 yuan in compensation, can not advance with us to discuss, question Have not mentioned. "Hong Kong Poultry Wholesalers Association president Xu refers to a corporation, wholesalers position remained virtually unchanged, but there are individual customers tend to accept compensation, because they focus on the business of chilled chickens, they do not affect .
Chicken farming industry, the New Territories Chicken Breeders Association vice president, said Li Liangji, chicken farmers do not want to end all operations, and said at the joint meeting, and the retail industry had differences, "the general direction is held in abeyance compensation package, focus on To discuss ways to improve operations. "He expressed opposition to the across-the-board means, for farmers to take a" chicken-"drastic action, he had reservations.
Retail, wholesale, transport and households to raise chickens there were still differences, but this live chickens in the supply chain, retail trade has significant influence, if they accept the arrangement, the voluntary "departure" and other industries will also appear "fault "Analysis that the Government should focus on lobbying the retail industry.

http://64.233.179.104/translate_c?h...6%E6%9C%8826%E6%97%A5&sl=en&tl=zh-CN&start=20

 

[Commonground]

Re: _|Hong Kong PRC SAR: H5N1 IN CHICKEN|_

Guangdong and Hong Kong avian flu sounding the alarm again
Chinese Culture Network 2008-6-25 9:59:24 food business network

Recently, a number of retail markets in Hong Kong chickens found to have H5N1 bird flu virus, since June 11 on the market since the Government ordered all live poultry stalls of the embargo. The new Ya Chang in a June 10 from there on the 4th, 3873 duck acute death, was diagnosed as infected with the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1. 6 on 18, the Guangdong Provincial Disease Prevention and Control Center of Disease Control launched Emergency Monitoring. As at 18:00 on the 18th, the seven had been in close contact with dead ducks were observed, and 23 staff to do health-related track, while the peripheral hospitals of influenza patients launched an investigation to rule out the possibility of human infection with bird flu.

Guangdong Provincial CDC deputy director Lam Kam-yan on the 18th a media interview, said that none were found infected with bird flu. Guangdong and Hong Kong outbreak of avian flu, how to actively prevent ? Experts point out that when the outbreak of avian flu from infected areas as much as possible, at this time so as not to release pets, food, especially poultry must be cooked thoroughly before eating, including poultry eggs, in order to avoid human infection with bird flu.

Susceptible people, pets away from infected areas

Jinan University First Affiliated Hospital Infection director Dr. Chen Youpeng pointed out that over the age of 60 elderly and children, primary, lower immunity, patients with chronic diseases influenza is susceptible population, is also considered one of avian influenza high-risk groups . Therefore, the high-risk groups should be vaccinated influenza vaccine to avoid travel to affected areas, to avoid any contact with live birds, especially poultry droppings and other secretions, usually washing hands frequently, even after contact with poultry should be thoroughly washed their hands.

Although the World Health Organization said no confirmed cases of avian influenza virus can be transmitted to humans by the cat, but in 2006, Germany was certified a dead cat infected with the H5N1 avian flu virus. Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical College Respiratory Director Tian Leach believes that if a home near the farms, or in a bird flu epidemic areas, pet owners should be cats and other pets and birds and their faeces to isolate, not to Waifang Pets, to prevent avian flu, chickens, water birds (ducks, geese) and the artificial breeding of quails, pigeons, and so should the highly pathogenic avian influenza vaccine injection.

Cooked poultry to kill H5N1

Experts point out that highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in the most common, they may be air-borne and respiratory droplets, can also be a digestive tract infection, even after the damage skin and eyes conjunctiva infection with the H5N1 virus were a result of disease. Therefore, far away from the affected areas and over-the-counter culture, urban residents are most concerned about is that the mode of transmission of the digestive tract, Chiji eat duck infected with avian flu virus? ?

Dr. Chen Youpeng told reporters that the avian flu virus is very sensitive to temperature, as long as the food cooked, Cook, the virus will be completely destroyed and inactivated, no longer infectious, so eating cooked chickens and ducks the Cook Are safe. He said the study found that the virus in the low temperature (4 degrees Celsius) can survive in feces for at least 35 days, and 37 degrees Celsius when the virus can survive six days and 100 ℃ within 10 minutes of boiling water can be killed Out. So as long as thoroughly cooked poultry meat and therefore would not have to worry about bird flu.

Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhongshan University contracted the disease specialist, director of Deng Branch of the German media recently said: "the hotel of poultry meat from the blood disease prevention point of view, is unsafe, the proposed Do not eat." He said that the prevention of avian flu Not can not eat poultry, but do not eat is not fully cooked poultry. Bone marrow in the blood of chickens and ducks also meat, Salmonella bacteria were not killed, the disease risk.

Vaccine development in full swing

Can avian flu vaccine injections to prevent bird flu more easy and convenient ? Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhongshan University Branch contracted the disease specialist, director of Deng Germany recently said that China's bird flu vaccine is developed. It is understood that the end of December last year, China's independent research and development of human bird flu vaccine completed clinical trial stage Ⅱ. However, the Beijing Municipal Disease Prevention and Control Center immune Wu Jiang, director of prevention, vaccine is still used for the general public can not be vaccinated. This is because the vaccine development stage Ⅲ need to be put into use clinical observation, Ⅲ period of clinical observation of the need to be there when the epidemic broke out, unless the epidemic reached a certain level, otherwise, countries will not approve the vaccine production and vaccination.

Australian Health Minister Nicolas Luoke Sen announced on the 17th, Australia has developed a body to deal with avian flu vaccine, the vaccine can be prevented in Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa, the epidemic of H5N1 avian influenza. Once the World Health Organization confirmed and announced that the avian flu outbreak, Australia will use the new vaccine to combat bird flu.

http://64.233.179.104/translate_c?h...6%E6%9C%8826%E6%97%A5&sl=en&tl=zh-CN&start=20

 

[Shiloh]

Re: _|Hong Kong PRC SAR: H5N1 IN CHICKEN|_

Source: http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory.cfm?story_id=11622415

Avian flu in southern China
A game of chicken

Jun 26th 2008 | HONG KONG
From The Economist print edition
The government?s caution arouses suspicions about what it knows

ALMOST as long as it has had people, Hong Kong has had booths selling squawking live chickens. They are treasured by locals who spurn frozen meat, finding it tasteless. But after the latest in a series of outbreaks of avian influenza, the government has offered HK$1 billion ($128m) to put the whole business out of its misery. That is the cost of a plan unveiled on June 20th to buy back all the licences allowing live chickens to be sold.

The latest bout of bird flu was first detected in four wet markets in Hong Kong on June 11th. Since then there has been no panic. But fear has advanced in baby steps. The government at once ordered a cull of 3,500 birds being held for sale, and banned imports of live chickens from China for 21 days. The news reached the territory?s elite when exclusive restaurants had to pull chicken from their menus.

Then came reports of 4,000 ducks dying at a Guangdong farm, having contracted, it was later confirmed, the H5N1 avian-flu virus. Another 17,000 birds were killed as a precaution and Hong Kong blocked imports of all birds raised within 13km (eight miles) of the affected farm.

The source of the original infection remains a mystery. So the government decided to preclude future problems with its drastic decision to end the live-chicken trade. The traders, many from families that have used the same stalls for generations, have rejected the offer of compensation for their licences as mean and misguided. They have threatened to release live poultry on to the streets. The government is continuing to negotiate with them. Public opinion on the issue is hard to gauge: as in any market, fear is battling greed, and in this case gluttony.

The ban on chickens imported from China expires on July 2nd. But they will have to be sold the day they are imported and those unbought will be slaughtered. Yet, amid all the carnage, questions remain about the seriousness of the outbreak. Sceptics wonder if it is merely another of many efforts to ensure that nothing, particularly an outbreak of disease, can cast a shadow on the Beijing Olympics in August. Others, however, point to the strength of the government?s response, and ask if there is more to it. They recall the epidemic in 2003 of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS, which killed hundreds of people before disappearing as mysteriously as it had arrived.

So some fear that the government knows more than it is letting on, particularly about the presence of avian flu in southern China, where health inspectors and the press both face constraints. Hong Kong insists all imports from China must come from specially licensed farms, but reporters from Next, a local magazine, discovered the rules being circumvented.

Since 1997, when 18 people were infected with bird flu and six died, there have been numerous outbreaks. Avian flu is not only particularly virulent; it also has the rare capacity to cross barriers between species. But it is hard to transmit. Well-cooked chicken is safe. In the past, it has been relayed through handling and poor sanitation, both issues of concern in Hong Kong. Local television stations have begun running public-service advertisements urging people to wash their hands and to wear masks if they suffer flu-like symptoms.

The second precaution seems redundant; bird flu has not yet spread from one person to another. But it underscores the bigger fear: that the disease might mutate and become broadly infectious. Given the frequency with which the disease crops up in Hong Kong, the government may be justified in not taking any chances.

 

[Commonground]

Re: _|Hong Kong PRC SAR: H5N1 IN CHICKEN|_

[2 article below]

Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao Joint Conference to Combat Infectious Diseases (Hong Kong Wen)
2008-06-26 (11:26)
Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau health officials to discuss prevention and treatment of infectious diseases in Macao.

Eighth joint meeting of the Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau control of infectious diseases held in Macao, Guangdong Province, Huang Fei, deputy director of the Office of Health in his speech at the Hong Kong Director of Health Dr Lam Ping-yan, also attended.  Guangdong Province Huang Fei, deputy director of the Health Department said that in the past few years, the three places smooth exchange of information on the disease, Guangdong Province, Hong Kong and Macau can learn from the experience and technology, the promotion of health and prevention and control work.

And Dr Lam Ping-yan said the three infectious disease notification mechanism more mature, the peak period of influenza early this year, Guangdong and Macao also sent experts to Hong Kong, will help increase exchanges of experience in the three places.

Macao Secretary for Health and Li Chin-run on that, Macao's economy and the community has experienced tremendous changes, both sides will make reference to the infectious diseases prevention and control work, raise the level of public health.
http://64.233.179.104/translate_c?h....singtao.com/breakingnews/20080626a112701.asp

Prevention and treatment of infectious diseases in Hong Kong and Macao and Guangdong held a joint meeting (Hong Kong Wen)
2008-06-26 (14:13)

Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao held the eighth joint meeting of prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, exchange of information and prevention and control of infectious diseases, through regular update notification mechanism, to avoid a major outbreak.

The two-day joint meeting held in Macao, has recently been in the Mainland and the Hong Kong outbreak of avian flu, hand, foot and mouth disease and other infectious diseases, are all of the issues to be discussed.

Guangdong Province Huang Fei, deputy director of the Office of Health said that the three places will be regularly updated notification mechanism, to avoid a major outbreak of epidemic in three places. He said that countries seem to say that hand, foot and mouth disease and report into the statutory notification of infectious diseases, at the same meeting, also suggested relevant content to be informed of the contents of the message, continue to increase.

Because of geographical proximity and infectious diseases into three health sector a high degree of concern, the three places will be regularly informed of the prevention and control of infectious diseases and the exchange of the work.

In addition, the HA plans to implement uniform in public hospitals in the quality of the assessment mechanism, is expected within the next two years, first in public hospitals in the implementation of a pilot project that within three years extended to three hospitals.

http://64.233.179.104/translate_c?h....singtao.com/breakingnews/20080626a143453.asp

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: _|Hong Kong PRC SAR: H5N1 IN CHICKEN|_

No live poultry at retail outlets overnight under new law
June 27 2008, 4.33.45

The Government would amend legislation to require no live poultry be kept at retail outlets overnight to protect public health and further reduce the risk posed by avian influenza.

Gazetted today (June 27), the Food Business (Amendment) Regulation 2008 provides that all people permitted by the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene to sell live poultry by retail - public market stalls and fresh provision shops selling live poultry - must slaughter any live poultry remaining in their stalls/shops by 8pm every day.

Live poultry will not be allowed at such premises from 8pm to 5am the next day.

Offenders could have their permission revoked, and be subject to a maximum penalty of $50,000 and six months imprisonment.

On top of no overnight stocking of live poultry at retail outlets, retailers are also required to thoroughly cleanse and disinfect the retail premises every night and strictly adhere to existing measures such as wearing protective gear.

Not observing these requirements will result in cancellation of the licence or tenancy.

Elaborating on the legislative amendment, a spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau said there was an imperative need to enhance the ability to arrest any possible spread of avian influenza in Hong Kong in future, thereby reducing the risks of human infection of avian influenza.

Past experience has shown that the principal mode of transmission of the avian influenza virus from poultry to human is through contact with live poultry or their faeces.

The most effective way to minimise the health risk posed by avian influenza was to reduce as much as possible the contact between human and live poultry, the spokesman said.

"Scientific research shows that when a chicken is infected by the avian influenza virus, there is an incubation period of one to five days when the virus can multiply to a sufficient number to be detectable in the excreta.

"If we require that there is no live poultry at retail outlets overnight, the chicken will be slaughtered to avoid accumulation of virus in the environment of the retail outlets. This in turn can better protect public health," he said.

The amendment regulation will be tabled in the Legislative Council and come into effect on July 2.
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http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200806/27/P200806270110.htm
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