ProMed-AVIAN INFLUENZA: CHINA (HONG KONG) H5N1, GULL
ProMed-AVIAN INFLUENZA: CHINA (HONG KONG) H5N1, GULL
http://beta.promedmail.org/direct.php?id=20120104.0021
Source: ProMed
Published Date: 2012-01-04 12:32:50
Subject: PRO/AH/EDR> Avian influenza: China (HK) H5N1, gull
Archive Number: 20120104.0021
AVIAN INFLUENZA: CHINA (HONG KONG) H5N1, GULL
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A ProMED-mail post
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ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Tue 3 Jan 2012
Source: GovHK (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government)
press release [edited]
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201201/03/P201201030396.htm
Black-headed gulls test positive for H5 virus
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A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (3 Jan 2012) that 2 dead black-headed gulls found in Tuen Mun and Lantau have tested positive for the H5 avian influenza virus in preliminary testing, adding that further confirmatory tests are being conducted.
The 1st gull was collected at EcoPark, 133 Lung Mun Road, Tuen Mun, on 30 Dec 2011 while the 2nd one was found at a drain near Sha Lo Wan Soccer Pitch, Lantau, on 1 Jan 2012.
The black-headed gull is a common winter visitor.
The spokesman said there were no poultry farms within 3 kilometres [2 mi] of where the dead birds were found.
The AFCD has phoned poultry farmers to remind them to strengthen precautionary and biosecurity measures against avian influenza. Letters have been issued to farmers, pet bird shop owners and licence holders of pet poultry and racing pigeons, reminding them that proper precautions must be taken.
The spokesman said the department would conduct frequent inspections of poultry farms and the wholesale market to ensure that proper precautions against avian influenza have been implemented. The department will continue its wild bird monitoring and surveillance.
"People 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. The public can call 1823 for follow-up if they come across suspicious sick or dead birds, including the carcasses of wild birds and poultry," the spokesman said.
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 to remind the public to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene to prevent avian influenza.
The AFCD, the 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 caused by imported poultry and birds that have not gone through inspection and quarantine.
All relevant government departments will continue to remain highly vigilant and strictly enforce preventive measures against avian influenza.
Health advice is available from the "H5N1 Health Advice" on the AFCD website at
http://www.afcd.gov.hk.
-- Communicated by: ProMED-mail from HealthMap alerts <promed@promedmail.org>
[Two H5N1 outbreaks involving poultry and wild birds in Hong Kong were reported to OIE in December 2011 (
http://web.oie.int/wahis/public.php?page=single_report&pop=1&reportid=11404).
The black-headed gull (_Chroicocephalus [=Larus] ridibundus_) is a small gull which breeds in much of Europe and Asia, and also in coastal eastern Canada. Most of the population is migratory, wintering further south, but some birds in the milder westernmost areas of Europe are resident. A picture of this species can be found at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Chroicocephalus_ridibundus_(summer).jpg. Because gulls are very susceptible to H5N1, it is very unlikely that they can carry the virus long distances through migration.
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of the area can be found at
http://healthmap.org/r/1BC7. - Mod.PMB]
See Also
2011
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Avian influenza (80): China (HK) H5N1, poultry, wild bird
20111224.3666
Avian influenza (79): China (HK) H5N1, poultry, conf. 20111222.3658
Avian influenza (78): China (HK) H5N1, poultry, susp. RFI
20111221.3654
Avian influenza, human (72): China (HK), human NOT 20111216.3611
2006
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Avian influenza, Eurasia (25): Hong Kong, China 20060120.0183]
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