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::HK SAR, ANIMAL SURVEILLANCE FOR H5N1:FEB08::

Giuseppe

Giuseppe

Emeritus
Mai Po Nature Reserve re-opens tomorrow

Mai Po Nature Reserve, which has been closed to the public since February 6, will be re-opened from tomorrow (February 27).

With the detection of the H5N1 virus in a dead Great Egret which was found within three kilometres of Mai Po, the nature reserve was closed as part of precautionary measures adopted to minimise human contact with birds.

"As there has not been any new case of birds infected with H5 virus found near the nature reserve in the past 21 days, which is the standard of the World Organisation for Animal Health, the nature reserve can be re-opened to the public," a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today.

But the spokesman warned that people should still be alert.

"People should observe good personal hygiene and avoid contact with wild birds and their droppings. They should also wash their hands thoroughly after contact with wild birds and their droppings," he said.

The department will continue to work closely with the World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong to ensure that sufficient precautionary measures are being taken.

The department has maintained a stringent monitoring regime on wild birds in the Mai Po Nature Reserve and has been collecting faecal samples for H5 avian influenza tests since winter 2002.

"We will continue to be vigilant and maintain surveillance of wild birds," the spokesman said.


Ends/Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:44

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Re: ::HK SAR, ANIMAL SURVEILLANCE FOR H5N1:FEB08::

...department has maintained a stringent monitoring regime on wild birds in the Mai Po Nature Reserve and has been collecting faecal samples for H5 avian influenza tests since winter 2002
Click to expand...

Good monitoring. :)

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Re: ::HK SAR, ANIMAL SURVEILLANCE FOR H5N1:FEB08::

Hong Kong stands up against avian influenza

Following the confirmation of the suspected human case of avian influenza H5N1 in Haifeng, Shanwei in Guangdong Province by the Ministry of Health, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) would from today (February 26) suspend live poultry import and their products from the zone of 13-kilometre radius of possible source of infection for 21 days.

The Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, said, "It is understood that the deceased patient did not leave the place of her onset during the incubation period. She is believed to have contracted the illness through eating or contacting sick and dead poultry. Initial investigation indicates there is no sign of human-to-human transmission. We are of the view that the above-mentioned arrangement is appropriate."

"We will adopt the same measure if similar human cases of avian influenza is found in Guangdong Province in the future. The measure has made reference to the latest guidelines set by Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations and World Organisation for Animal Health. We have informed our Mainland counterparts of the arrangement," he added.

According to the guidelines, one to five kilometre radius of the case where avian influenza is found are known as the infected area, two to 10 kilometre radius of the infected area are grouped as the control area. Control and preventive measures are to be adopted within three to 15 kilometre radius of the infected area to prevent the spread of the disease. After assessing the control and prevention of avian influenza and the related inspection and quarantine measures in Guangdong Province, HKSARG decided to set the total zone for the infected area and control area at 13 kilometre radius.

The State General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine and the Guangdong Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau had imposed stringent biosecurity measures on registered live poultry farms for supply to Hong Kong to reduce the risk of avian influenza outbreak.
Live poultry had to receive vaccination and were checked that they had enough antibodies before being sent to Hong Kong.
Avian influenza found in non-registered farms or backyard poultry would pose a relatively lower risk to Hong Kong as they were not for export to Hong Kong.

Dr Chow appealed to the public not to bring live poultry to Hong Kong illegally. He stressed that the top priority of the Government was to protect public health.

The Government and the relevant Mainland authorities would closely monitor the situation. Various Government departments in Hong Kong had stepped up control and public education on avian influenza.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) had fielded staff to inspect registered live poultry farms for supply to Hong Kong in east Guangdong.

There is no registered live poultry farm for supply to Hong Kong in Shanwei, and registered chilled or frozen poultry processing plant for supply to Hong Kong in Shanwei.

The Centre for Food Safety had stepped up inspection and quarantine on avian influenza virus test for live poultry import from the Mainland, with dropping test increased from six batches a day to 12 batches a day.
On top of this, 18 blood samples would be taken from each consignment of live poultry for testing of antibodies.
The Centre would also conduct strict surveillance on chilled poultry, with health certificate of every consignment of chilled poultry being checked at Man Kam To control point. Poultry meat would also be checked and samples taken for inspection when necessary.

The Department of Health (DH) has put in place a four-week Enhanced Pneumonia Surveillance Programme under which H5 test would be conducted by all public and private hospitals for people who developed pneumonia with unknown etiology within seven days after visiting places where human case of avian influenza was reported in the past six months. The department would distribute health information leaflets and display health messages at all immigration control points.

DH has informed the Hong Kong Travel Industry Council of the relevant situation and provided health advice to travel agencies accordingly.

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) and FEHD have stepped up inspection on local poultry farms, wholesale and retail markets.
AFCD, FEHD and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will increase checks on country parks, streets and parks, and arrange cleansing promptly when droppings are found. The Customs and Excise Department also stepped up surveillance at all the boundary control points of illegal import of poultry.




Ends/Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Issued at HKT 22:02

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Re: ::HK SAR, ANIMAL SURVEILLANCE FOR H5N1:FEB08::

Bird park demands compensation over `unfair' closure orders

<!-- Mai Po Nature Reserve will reopen today but its operator wants HK$800,000 as compensation for following the government's closure order.

//-->Timothy Chui

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Mai Po Nature Reserve will reopen today but its operator wants HK$800,000 as compensation for following the government's closure order.


World Wildlife Fund's reserve manager Lew Young yesterday described the government's closure orders as unfair and selective.

The nature reserve was closed for the past three weeks following the discovery of an H5N1 infected great egret outside its area on February 6.
Young is trying to have the government review its protocols for the discovery of birds infected with avian flu, saying the government had selectively targeted the nature reserve in response to virus-infected birds.

Pointing out that an H5N1 infected bird had yet to be found in the wetland reserve, he said the government's mandated 21-day closure was not applied to other districts such as Sham Shui Po where some 62 percent of dead birds infected with avian flu were found in the past two years.


"We need guidelines that are appropriate and can be used across the board," Young said, adding the reserve should not be closed if an H5N1 infected bird was found outside its area.

He also said there was no correlation between the movement of migratory wild birds and the finding of infected birds.

The government guidelines, drawn up after the second of four closures, specify that a control area with a three- kilometer radius be established where an H5N1 infected bird is found to monitor and prevent the movement of sick wild birds and poultry. The government's guidelines were originally intended for poultry farms, Young said.

Despite their own protocols, the government had allowed three poultry farms to continue to operate after a dead H5N1 infected grey heron was found nearby in San Tin on February 10.

"The policy is entirely inconsistent because the three-kilometer radius around the reserve also includes many villages that remained open. It is ridiculous that this rule only applies to Mai Po," said medical-sector lawmaker Kwok Ka-ki.

Meanwhile, China confirmed its fourth outbreak of avian flu among poultry this year.

The Ministry of Agriculture said on its website that the outbreak had been effectively contained with the slaughter of nearly 240,000 poultry after 4,000 were killed by the virus in Guizhou province.
Of the 43 H5N1 infected birds discovered locally over the past two years, 40 percent were species related to the pet trade, while 23 percent were chickens, herons and egrets.

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Re: ::HK SAR, ANIMAL SURVEILLANCE FOR H5N1:FEB08::

LCQ19: Precautions against avian influenza

Following is a question by the Hon Frederick Fung Kin-kee and a written reply by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, in the Legislative Council today (February 27):

Question:

Regarding cases of avian influenza infections, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) of the information about the cases of birds and human beings being infected with avian influenza viruses on the Mainland and in Hong Kong in the past six months tabulated in Annex I.

(b) given that avian influenza virus was found in a bird carcass recently collected at the Cheung Sha Wan Wholesale Food Market, and that area is infested with house crows all along, apart from the existing measures (including cleaning markets and alerting poultry farmers and poultry farm workers), how the authorities will further prevent infected birds from coming into contact with poultry and house crows, whether they will consider raising the level of the contingency measures, and what measures the authorities have in place to especially assist the residents of the affected areas; and

(c) given that it has been reported that due to the surge in local prices of products, some members of the public will cross the boundary to buy poultry meats not thoroughly cooked on the Mainland and bring them back to Hong Kong, what follow-up measures the authorities have in place, and whether they will consider educating the public to make them aware that they may bring avian influenza virus to Hong Kong through those meats?

Reply:

Madam President,

(a) Information about the cases of birds and human beings being infected with avian influenza viruses in the Mainland and in Hong Kong in the past six months is tabulated in Annex II.

(b) Regarding the incident in which the carcass of an Oriental Magpie Robin carrying avian influenza virus was collected in the vicinity of the Cheung Sha Wan Wholesale Food Market, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) immediately took away the carcass the day it was found and submitted it for testing, so as to minimise the risk of other birds or members of the public coming into contact with the carcass. In light of the incident, the AFCD conducted a thorough cleansing cum disinfection operation in both the Wholesale Food Market and the Temporary Wholesale Poultry Market in Cheung Sha Wan. The AFCD also reminded poultry farmers, pet bird shop owners, licence holders of pet poultry and racing pigeons to take proper precautions. In addition, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has stepped up its street cleansing operations in the Cheung Sha Wan area in order to maintain good environmental hygiene.

As the poultry for sale in Cheung Sha Wan Temporary Wholesale Poultry Market are all kept in poultry cages, the risk of direct contact between these poultry and outside birds is minimal. Moreover, since all the chickens in the market have been vaccinated against avian influenza, their risk of being infected with avian influenza virus through contact with infected birds is low. Nevertheless, the AFCD will remain highly vigilant. It will step up inspections and surveillance of the wholesale poultry market and remind wholesalers to maintain good hygiene and take proper precautions against avian influenza.

We are aware of the concern of the residents in Sham Shui Po over the roosting of house crows in the district. The AFCD has already held several discussions with the Sham Shui Po District Council on the issue and implemented measures to reduce the number of house crows. These measures include the removal of eggs and chicks during the breeding seasons and baiting. Since 2004, a total of 552 house crow eggs/chicks have been removed from the Kowloon City and Sham Shui Po Districts. As at the end of 2007, a total of 281 house crows have been caught by the AFCD. The AFCD will maintain regular contact with the Sham Shui Po District Council and assess the effectiveness of these measures and ways to enhance it.

For contingency measures, the Government issued in early 2005 a plan entitled "Emergency Preparedness Plan for Influenza Pandemic in Hong Kong" to enhance Government and community preparedness to cope with avian/pandemic influenza emergencies. The plan includes a three-level response system, i.e. Alert Response Level, Serious Response Level and Emergency Response Level. The Alert Response Level applies when there is confirmation of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks in poultry populations outside Hong Kong, or when there is confirmation of HPAI in imported birds in quarantine, in wild birds, in recreational parks, in pet bird shops or in the natural environment in Hong Kong. In view of the recent confirmed cases of wild birds infected with avian influenza virus, the Government has activated the Alert Response Level according to the contingency plan.

(c) According to the World Health Organisation, all the available evidence suggests that the vast majority of H5N1 human cases were caused by infection through direct contact with infected live or dead poultry. At present, there is no evidence indicating that properly cooked poultry or eggs can be a source of infection. However, as the poultry or eggs may have been contaminated by bacteria or viruses, they may pose a certain degree of food safety risk when not properly cooked.

The import of frozen/chilled poultry meat is subject to control under the Imported Game, Meat and Poultry Regulation (Cap 132AK). Import of all frozen/chilled poultry meat must be accompanied with an import permission and import licence as well as an official health certificate. This control measure is also applicable to undercooked poultry meat. Therefore, anyone who imports undercooked poultry meat, whether for his/her own consumption or sale, without an official health certificate or import licence commits an offence. The Government has put up posters and large warning notices at all major land boundary control points, seaports and the Hong Kong International Airport to remind the public not to import meat and poultry illegally.

Apart from carrying out inspection duties at boundary control points, the Centre for Food Safety also conducts joint operations with the Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) to crack down on illegal import of poultry. In 2007, a total of 76 visitors entering Hong Kong through land boundary control points or the Hong Kong International Airport were prosecuted for bringing in fresh/chilled poultry without an official health certificate.

Moreover, under the Quarantine Detector Dog Programme jointly introduced by the AFCD and the Centre for Food Safety, detector dogs have been deployed to various boundary control points since Chinese New Year to help detect the illegal import of animal and meat products into Hong Kong. The Centre for Food Safety will continue to monitor the situation and take appropriate enforcement actions when necessary.

In addition to the enforcement actions mentioned above, the Government has from time to time been educating the public on safety in food consumption and on the need to cook poultry meat thoroughly before consumption through food safety talks, leaflets, mobile broadcasts, websites and television announcements of public interest etc. The public are also advised to note that when cooking, the centre of poultry meat should be heated up to above 70℃ and be cooked continuously for at least two minutes at that temperature level. If there are pinkish juices running from the cooked poultry or the middle parts of the bones are still red in colour, they should cook the poultry again until fully done. As a precautionary measure against avian influenza infection, the public are also advised to observe good personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times to avoid cross-contamination.



Ends/Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Issued at HKT 14:22

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Re: ::HK SAR, ANIMAL SURVEILLANCE FOR H5N1:CURRENT::

Re: ::HK SAR, ANIMAL SURVEILLANCE FOR H5N1:CURRENT::

Oriental Magpie Robin tested for H5 virus
March 4, 2008

Preliminary testing of a dead Oriental Magpie Robin found in Tai Po had indicated a suspected case of H5 avian influenza, a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (March 4), adding that further confirmatory tests were being conducted.

The bird carcass was found and collected on February 29 near the management centre in Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve.

Oriental Magpie Robin is a common resident bird in Hong Kong.

"In view of this case, we have conducted a thorough cleansing operation in the nearby area of the management centre today. Notices have been put up near the management centre to remind the public to avoid contact with birds and their droppings. Our country park staff will also step up precautionary measures in the parks," the spokesman said.

The spokesman said there was one commercial chicken farm within three kilometers of where the bird was found.

The AFCD had immediately sent staff to inspect the chicken farm, and had found no abnormal mortality or symptoms of avian influenza among the chicken flocks.

The chicken farm will be put under enhanced surveillance.

The AFCD will phone poultry farmers reminding them to strengthen precautionary and biosecurity measures against avian influenza.

Letters will be issued to the farmers, pet bird shop owners, licence holders of pet poultry and racing pigeons reminding them that proper precautions must be taken.

The spokesman said that the department would conduct frequent inspections of poultry farms and the wholesale market to ensure that proper precautions against avian influenza had been implemented.

The department will continue its wild bird monitoring and surveillance.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) will continue to be vigilant over imported live poultry as well as live poultry stalls.

It will also remind stall operators to maintain good hygiene.

The Department of Health will keep up with its health education and distribute health advice leaflets.

AFCD, FEHD, the Customs and Excise Department and the Police will strive to deter the illegal import of poultry and birds into Hong Kong to minimise the risk of avian influenza outbreaks brought by imported poultry and birds that had not gone through inspection and quarantine.

The spokesman said the threat of avian influenza remained.

The relevant departments will remain vigilant and continue to take preventive and control measures against avian influenza.

Members of the public are reminded to observe good personal hygiene.

They should avoid personal contact with wild birds and live poultry and their droppings. They should clean their hands thoroughly after coming into contact with them. Poultry and eggs should be thoroughly cooked before consumption.
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Re: ::HK SAR, ANIMAL SURVEILLANCE FOR H5N1:FEB08::

Dead bird tested for H5 virus

A sick peregrine falcon found in Ma Wan has tested positive in a preliminary examination for H5 avian flu, the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department says, adding confirmatory tests are being conducted.

It was collected March 8 in bushes near Pak Lai Road on Park Island and died the same day. The species is a scarce resident and a winter visitor to Hong Kong.

The department will remind poultry farmers to enhance precautionary and biosecurity measures against avian flu and will send letters to farmers, bird shop owners, poultry licence holders and racing pigeon owners to take precautions.

It will inspect poultry farms and the wholesale market and continue wild bird monitoring and surveillance.

People are reminded to observe good personal hygiene and avoid personal contact with wild birds, live poultry and their droppings.

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Re: ::HK SAR, ANIMAL SURVEILLANCE FOR H5N1:FEB08::

Peregrine Falcon tests positive for H5N1 virus
March 14 2008, 10.21.04

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said today (March 14) that a Peregrine Falcon found in Ma Wan was confirmed to be H5N1 positive after a series of laboratory tests.

The sick bird was found and collected on March 8 in the bushes near Pak Lai Road, Park Island, Ma Wan.

It died the same day.

Peregrine Falcons are scarce residents and winter visitors to Hong Kong.

A department spokesman reminded people to observe good personal hygiene.

"They should avoid personal contact with wild birds or live poultry and clean their hands thoroughly after coming into contact with them," he said.

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