Hong Kong - Poultry/animals/wild birds H5N1 Dec. 18, 2008 +

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: Hong Kong reports bird flu outbreak

Re: Hong Kong reports bird flu outbreak

HK begins mass cull of birds at market, screens virus

HONG KONG, Dec 10 (Reuters) - Health workers in masks culled tens of thousands of chickens in Hong Kong on Wednesday, a day after authorities raised the bird flu alert level to "serious" following a H5 bird flu outbreak at a farm.

The outbreak near the border with China was the city's first in five years despite mass vaccination of the birds, prompting concerns that the virus might have mutated.

"Viruses change and since 1997, it has been changing. If we have been using the same vaccine since 2003, its efficacy would not be the same," Ho Pak-leung, a microbiologist at the University of Hong Kong, told Reuters in an interview.

Laboratories in the city were trying to determine the precise identity of the H5 virus that caused the farm outbreak.

Another expert said it was likely to turn out to be the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain, which crops up regularly in flocks in Asia, parts of Europe and Africa.

Although H5N1 is mainly a disease among birds, it may mutate into a form that spreads easily among people. If that happens, it could trigger a pandemic and kill millions. Even in its current hard-to-catch form, H5N1 has infected 389 people since 2003, killing 246 of them. [ID:nL9118602]

Ho said scientists would be able to establish within a week if there were changes or characteristics in the virus that may allow it to spread easily among people.

"Genetic sequencing is being done. The key is whether it is still a fully avian virus," Ho said.

Scientists Hong Kong and mainland China are studying if new vaccines are needed to protect chickens against H5N1.

"If the study suggests that a new vaccine may provide better protection for chickens, we will select some to try out for a test trial of the new vaccine," Health Secretary York Chow said.

Workers clad in masks, white medical suits and black rubber gloves began the culling in a wholesale market on Wednesday. Culling also continued for the second day in areas within a 3 km radius of the infected farm.

By late afternoon, some 48,000 chickens had been killed, a government spokeswoman said, out of a total 80,000 birds that are meant to be culled.

China's southern Guangdong province has suspended all live poultry shipments to Hong Kong for 21 days to prevent any spread of the virus, China's official Xinhua news agency said, citing an official at the Guangdong Provincial Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.

Hong Kong told China that some 100 breeding and sentinel chickens died on Sunday at the Hong Kong poultry farm, where 60,000 chickens were being raised, the Xinhua report said.

Sentinel chickens are deliberately left unvaccinated for the purpose of providing early warning signs of viruses in the environment. Hong Kong has been using this method since 2003. (Additional reporting by Tan Ee Lyn; Editing by Jeremy Laurence)

http://www.reuters.com/article/homepageCrisis/idUSSP389240._CH_.2400?sp=true

 

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: Hong Kong reports bird flu outbreak

Re: Hong Kong reports bird flu outbreak

Hong Kong bird flu outbreak could be due to smuggled eggs: industry

1 hour ago
HONG KONG (AFP) — Smuggled fertilised eggs from China containing infected chicken embryos could be the origin of the latest bird flu outbreak at a Hong Kong poultry farm, trade representatives said Thursday.

"There is a very big connection between the outbreak and smuggled fertilised eggs," Tsui Ming-tuen, chairman of Hong Kong Poultry Wholesalers Association, told AFP following a meeting with his members.

Smuggling has grown since Hong Kong banned the import of one-day-old chickens from China earlier this year to prevent cross-border infection, according to the association.

The eggs, imported ostensibly for sale as food, contain embryos less than a week from hatching which could have contracted the bird flu virus from their mothers, the South China Morning Post reported Thursday.

Tsui urged the government to tighten its monitoring of egg imports.

"It has become a very serious problem. There has always been ample evidence to prove the smuggling cases, if the government wants to catch the culprits," Tsui told AFP.

However, Wong Yee-chuen, owner of the farm where the outbreak occurred, denied having smuggled any fertilised eggs from China and asked the association for evidence to substantiate its allegation.

"The allegation is ridiculous," he told Cable TV.

"There is no chance for a chicken to survive after hatching from infected embryos. If their allegation is true, how come some of the infected chickens in my farm were as old as 40 to 50 days?" he said.

The government ordered the slaughter of more than 90,000 chickens after it confirmed Tuesday that some birds had died from the H5 virus on Wong's farm near the border with China. Further tests were underway to determine if it was the deadly H5N1 strain of the virus, which has killed about 250 people worldwide since late 2003.

Hong Kong was the scene of the world's first reported major H5N1 bird flu outbreak among humans in 1997, when six people died. Since the second outbreak in 2003 Hong Kong has required farmers to vaccinate their chickens.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hXemJJ95HUiKf6DxGYEqoLEkQ1HQ

 

[Coleman]

Re: Hong Kong reports bird flu outbreak

Re: Hong Kong reports bird flu outbreak

* 11 Dez 2008
* Ella Lee and Martin Wong

Smuggled fertilised eggs dodging bird flu control measures, say trade sources

Smuggled fertilised eggs from the mainland containing chicken embryos that may be infected are bypassing government bird flu control measures and could be spreading the disease, trade sources say.

They said the practice had grown since the administration curbed imports of day-old chicks from the mainland early this year, to prevent cross-border infection.

The eggs, imported ostensibly for sale as food, contain chickens less than a week from hatching which could have contracted the bird flu virus from their mothers.

? It has been a practice here for more than a year, but the government turns a blind eye to it,? one source said. It took 21days for a chicken egg to hatch and most smuggled fertilised eggs were 15 days old.

It was an ? open secret? in the industry that some local farms were taking advantage of the loophole to import the fertilised eggs.

Some mainland chicken farms supplying Hong Kong had introduced the practice to compensate for a drop in business after Hong Kong reduced imports of mainland chickens, the sources said.

An associate professor of biochemistry at the Chinese University said the virus could be spread by fertilised eggs.

?It is possible for fertilised eggs to carry the virus if they were laid by a sick chicken,? Chan King-ming said. ?Bird flu vaccine should be given to chickens before they catch the virus in a bid to avoid them catching bird flu. The vaccine?s effectiveness will be weakened if the virus already exists in them.? he said.

Local chicken farms can import dayold or ?seed? chicks only from registered mainland farms. Vaccinated samples are taken for health checks.

?Through the one-day-old chicken import limitations, the government can record the number of live chickens raised in Hong Kong and trace the source of the chicken if there is anything wrong. But with these smuggled fertilised eggs, it means the government?s monitoring system would fail to trace the source of chickens with diseases,? Professor Chan said.

New Territories Chicken Breeders Association secretary Wong Yeechuen, whose farm in Lau Fau Shan, Yuen Long, was shut down after the H5 virus killed 200 chickens, said embryonic chicks with the virus would die soon after hatching.

He said all of more than 60,000 chickens on his farm culled in the past two days came from day-old chicks imported legally from the mainland or by eggs produced on the farm.

An Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department spokeswoman said chicken farmers must inform the department about movement of eggs or chickens.

Printed and distributed by NewpaperDirect | www.newspaperdirect.com, US/Can: 1.877.980.4040, Intern: 800.6364.6364 | Copyright and protected by applicable law.

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: Hong Kong reports bird flu outbreak

Re: Hong Kong reports bird flu outbreak

<table class="lan18" _base_target="_blank" align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="97%"><tbody _base_target="_blank"><tr _base_target="_blank"><td class="hei22" _base_target="_blank" height="25" valign="bottom"> Hong Kong bird flu outbreak confirmed to be H5N1
</td> </tr> <tr _base_target="_blank"> <td _base_target="_blank" bgcolor="#ffffff" height="4">
</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table _base_target="_blank" align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="50%"> <tbody _base_target="_blank"><tr _base_target="_blank"> <td _base_target="_blank" height="8">
</td> </tr> </tbody></table> www.chinaview.cn

2008-12-12 00:39:34


HONG KONG, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- The latest bird flu outbreak on a Hong Kong chicken farm was caused by the highly virulent H5N1 strain of the avian influenza virus, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government confirmed Thursday.

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said test results confirmed the virus to be H5N1 on Thursday afternoon, two days after samples collected by the department tested positive for the H5 strain.

It was the first outbreak of H5 bird flu on a Hong Kong farm in about six years.


Health authorities declared the area within three kilometers of the affected farm an infected place on Tuesday and ordered the slaughtering of 90,000 domestic birds.


York Chow, secretary for food and health, said health authorities have been testing samples collected from other farms, including a second farm within the infected area.


"We have tested the chickens in the second farm, which turned out to be negative for H5. So far we have not found any positive samples from the other farms," he said.


"But we will do more samples in the coming weeks," he added.


The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department has also been reviewing and upgrading biosecurity measures put in place by local chicken farms.


The number of hens, cocks, chickens and fertilized eggs were consistent with records kept and updated on a regular basis by the department, it said.


http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-12/12/content_10491761.htm

 

[Treyfish]

Re: Hong Kong reports bird flu outbreak

Re: Hong Kong reports bird flu outbreak

Huang Yiquan counter-attacks coughs crazily scares reporter
Caption: Huang Yiquan defends the equipment to stand complete before the chicken house gate, narrated after this becomes the victim and the loss serious, suffers the feeling which again discredits.
More pictures


The human bumps into angrily can also be unconventional. Liufu Mountain chicken house field host Huang Yiquan who is made a sneak attack the bird flu, is New Territory raises chickens same business meeting director, and the active field leads the chicken farmer to resist the authority many times to strangle raises chickens industry.
This is accused to doubt smuggling fertilization egg bringing about bird flu calamity Lian Quanxing, was still excited immediately in chicken house isolation's Huang Yiquan opens reporter to refute, because actually Lao Qi once forgot puts on protects the clothing, pouring out one's grievances period coughs again and again, wants a numerous media entire journey maintains the distance with him, provides against contingencies. Had an accident the chicken house six workers still to accept the isolation quarantine in the hospital, field host Huang Yiquan and the wife must keep in the chicken house to observe for one week.
Huang Yi who is bored to death in the chicken house entire, in the morning sets on fire the sundry goods which the overburning plans to abandon,
afternoon only then arrives at the floodgate to have a look at reporter's interview joining-up to be in question asked that but at that time he did not have any protective gear, for fear that the media his sputtering, namely reminded him to put on the mouthpiece, he often “is not also good by me 咁” reminds himself not to be possible to leave the chicken house scope.

Too Lao Qi once forgot to put on protects the clothes

Has stood after floodgate Huang Yiquan learned about that because is accused the smuggling fertilization egg has an accident the ten points “the fatigue to be mad”, yelled that “not raises chickens the o already person to accuse depending on Mie Oye to raise chickens o already!”

Again decision in 3:00 pm opens reporter to respond publicly temporarily, but he always exchanges on protects the clothing to think otherwise, finally before the press conference starts, the yellow suitable versatile person exchanges the white protection gown and puts on the mouthpiece.

Short 20 minute the press conference, Huang Yiquan coughs unceasingly, numerous media maintain ten feet distances subconsciously with him, but he threatened that he 絕 is impossible to receive infects, stressed only because is answers the media to hit unceasingly inquires the smuggling fertilization egg telephone, responds when the event is too excited only then the meeting “is 咁 coughs”. Newspaper reporter :tiphat:http://66.163.168.225/babelfish/tra...l/news/localNews/Detail.do?type=odn&id=122114

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Hong Kong reports bird flu outbreak

Re: Hong Kong reports bird flu outbreak

OIE-report:

http://www.oie.int/wahis/public.php?page=single_report&pop=1&reportid=7609

- snip -

Immediate notification

Start date 08/12/2008

Date of first confirmation of the event 08/12/2008
Report date 12/12/2008

Date submitted to OIE 12/12/2008

Reason for notification Reoccurrence of a listed disease

Date of previous occurrence 10/2008

Causal agent Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus

Serotype H5N1

Nature of diagnosis Suspicion, Clinical, Laboratory (basic), Laboratory (advanced), Necropsy

- snip -

There were 67,968 chickens and 25,680 fertilized eggs on this index farm with compulsory avian influenza vaccination program and strict biosecurity measures in place.

Unusual mortality was first noted in the sentinel chickens on 8 December.

Clinical signs observed included rales, dyspnoea, cyanosis and oedema of the comb and wattle with yellow creamy nasal discharge.

Cloacae swabs and chicken carcasses were collected on the same day for laboratory testing. Culling of the chickens and eggs began on 9 December and finished on 10 December.

 

[HenryN]

Re: Hong Kong reports bird flu outbreak

Re: Hong Kong reports bird flu outbreak

There were 67,968 chickens and 25,680 fertilized eggs on this index farm with compulsory avian influenza vaccination program and strict biosecurity measures in place. Unusual mortality was first noted in the sentinel chickens on 8 December. Clinical signs observed included rales, dyspnoea, cyanosis and oedema of the comb and wattle with yellow creamy nasal discharge. Cloacae swabs and chicken carcasses were collected on the same day for laboratory testing. Culling of the chickens and eggs began on 9 December and finished on 10 December.

On 11 December 2008, 17,960 chickens were also culled in a chicken farm within the 3-km-radius infected zone. Poultry in the wholesale market (10,704 chickens, 2900 pigeons, 1,420 pheasants, 3,100 silky chickens and 370 chukars) were also culled on 11 December 2008. Initial surveillance using PCR did not detect any H5 in all the other poultry farms in Hong Kong (virus isolation pending). Advice was given to these unaffected chicken farms to administer a booster vaccine immediately. Importation of live poultry was banned and movement of poultry, eggs, fodder and other things in local farms is prohibited for 21 days as from 09 December 2008.

 

[HenryN]

Re: Hong Kong reports bird flu outbreak

Re: Hong Kong reports bird flu outbreak

http://www.oie.int/wahis/reports/en_imm_0000007609_20081212_130545.pdf

Immediate notification report​

Report reference: , Ref OIE: 7609, Report Date: 12/12/2008 , Country: Hong Kong (P.R. China)​

Report Summary​

Disease​

​

​

​

​

Highly pathogenic avian influenza Animal type Terrestrial​

Causal Agent​

​

​

​

​

Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus Serotype(s) H5N1​

Clinical Signs​

​

​

​

​

Yes Reason Reoccurrence of a listed disease​

Date of first confirmation of the event​

​

​

​

​

08/12/2008 Date of Start of Event 08/12/2008​

Date of report​

​

​

​

​

12/12/2008 Date Submitted To OIE 12/12/2008​

Diagnosis​

​

​

​

​

Suspicion, Clinical, Laboratory (basic), Laboratory (advanced), Necropsy Date Of Last Occurrence 10/2008​

Number Of Reported Outbreaks​

​

​

​

​

Submitted= 1, Draft= 0 Name of Sender of the report Dr Thomas Sit​

Address​

​

​

​

​

Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon Hon Kong Position Assistant Director​

Telephone​

​

​

​

​

852 2150 6602 Fax 852 2199 7050​

Email​

​

​

​

​

thcsit@afcd.gov.hk Entered by Dr Thomas Sit​

Outbreak (this report - submitted)​

Province Unit Type Location Latitude Longitude Start date End Date​

HONG KONG Farm Yuen Long 22,449 114,013 08/12/2008​

Species Measuring units Susceptible Cases Deaths Destroyed Slaughtered​

Birds Animals 67968 285 285 67683 0​

Affected Population​

There were 67,968 chickens and 25,680 fertilized eggs on this index farm with compulsory avian influenza vaccination program and strict biosecurity measures in place. Unusual mortality was first noted in the sentinel chickens on 8 December. Clinical signs observed included rales, dyspnoea,
cyanosis and oedema of the comb and wattle with yellow creamy nasal discharge. Cloacae swabs and chicken carcasses were collected on the same day for laboratory testing. Culling of the chickens and eggs began on 9 December and finished on 10 December.​

Outbreak summary: Total outbreaks = 1 (Submitted)​

Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Destroyed Slaughtered​

Birds 67968 285 285 67683 0​

Epidemiology​

Epidemiological comments​

On 11 December 2008, 17,960 chickens were also culled in a chicken farm within the 3-km-radius infected zone. Poultry in the wholesale market (10,704 chickens, 2900 pigeons, 1,420 pheasants, 3,100 silky chickens and 370 chukars) were also culled on 11 December 2008. Initial surveillance
using PCR did not detect any H5 in all the other poultry farms in Hong Kong (virus isolation pending). Advice was given to these unaffected chicken farms to administer a booster vaccine immediately. Importation of live poultry was banned and movement of poultry, eggs, fodder and other things
in local farms is prohibited for 21 days as from 09 December 2008.​

Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection​

​

​

​

​

? Under investigation
Printed on: Fri Dec 12 13:05:45 Paris, Madrid 2008 Page 1/3​

Control Measures​

? Stamping out
? Quarantine​

Applied​

​

​

​

​

? Movement control inside the country
? Screening
? Zoning
? Vaccination in response to the outbreak (s)
? Disinfection of infected premises/establishment(s)​

To be applied​

​

​

​

​

? No Planned Control Measures​

Animals treated​

​

​

​

​

No​

Vaccination Prohibited​

​

​

​

​

No​

Country / Zone​

Country or zone​

​

​

​

​

the whole country​

Diagnostic test results​

Laboratory Type Name of Laboratory Species Test Type Date Results Provided Result​

National laboratory Tai Lung Veterinary Laboratory, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department Birds virus isolation 11/12/2008 Positive
National laboratory Tai Lung Veterinary Laboratory, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department Birds polymerase chain reaction (PCR) 08/12/2008 Positive
National laboratory Tai Lung Veterinary Laboratory, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department Birds immunohistochemical test 08/12/2008 Positive​

Future Reporting​

What further reports will be submitted in relation to this event?​

There are 1outbreaks that are still recorded as unresolved. It is not possible to declare this event resolved until these individual outbreaks are resolved.
The event is continuing. Weekly follow-up reports will be submitted.​

Immediate notification report. Report reference: , Ref OIE: 7609, Report Date: 12/12/2008 , Country: Hong Kong (P.R. China)

 

[Treyfish]

Re: Hong Kong reports bird flu outbreak

Re: Hong Kong reports bird flu outbreak

<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="95%" align=center><TBODY><TR><TD class=news_title height=30 align=middle>Sichuan focus on the prevention and control of human avian influenza

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=20 align=middle>

食品商务网 2008-12-12 14:26:00​

Food Business Network 2008-12-12 14:26:00 </TD></TR><TR><TD height=10></TD></TR><TR><TD height=1 background=/news/images/detail_c1_03.jpg></TD></TR><TR><TD height=20></TD></TR><TR><TD>
The Ministry of Health to remind: this year's animal bird flu likely
December 10, the Ministry of Health issued a human infection of bird flu early warning. In that case, what is the situation in Sichuan?

制部门称，目前四川还没有人感染禽流感的报告，并表示，只要预防到位，禽流感不可怕。​

Sichuan Provincial Disease Prevention and Control department said no one in Sichuan Province is currently infected with avian flu, and that as long as the place to prevent the avian flu is not terrible.

核心事件​

The core event

12月9日，香港特区某养鸡场出现禽流感疫情，但目前没有人感染禽流感的报告。​

December 9, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of a farm bird flu epidemic, but no one infected with bird flu.

据了解，香港特区已决定公立医院在防备禽流感方面的应变级别提升为严重应变级别。​

It is understood that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has decided to public hospitals in the area of preparedness for avian flu strain level to enhance the level of serious strain.

12月10日，卫生部新闻发言人毛群安表示，卫生部已经对全国预防人禽流感工作进行了全面部署，包括病人的诊断、治疗标准，以及对疫情的监测、报告等，并且根据过去工作的实际情况，对有些管理的要求进行了调整，特别提出要在过去的基础上加大对人禽流感疫情的监测力度。​

December 10, the Ministry of Health spokesman Mao Qun'an said that the Ministry of Health has been the nation's human bird flu prevention work up a comprehensive plan, including the patient's diagnosis, treatment standards, as well as the epidemic monitoring, reporting and so on, and based on the work of the past The actual situation on the management of some of the requirements have been adjusted in the past proposed to increase on the basis of human bird flu surveillance efforts.

卫生部和农业部的专家还对今年的动物禽流感及人禽流感疫情进行了风险评估。​

The Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Health experts also this year's animal and human avian flu bird flu risk assessment carried out.

专家预测，今年发生动物禽流感的可能性比较大。​

Experts predict that this year's bird flu occurred in animals more likely.

如果有动物疫情，个别人感染的病例也有可能发生。​

If there is animal disease, the individual cases of human infection may occur.

连线四川​

Sichuan connection

预防、监测环环相扣​

Prevention, monitoring closely

昨（11）日，四川省疾病预防控制中心急性传染病控制所所长祝小平告诉记者，四川省疾病预防控制部门采取了多项积极措施，四川没有人感染禽流感的报告。​

Yesterday (11), Sichuan Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention of acute communicable disease control director, told reporters Zhu Xiaoping, Sichuan Province, disease prevention and control departments to take positive measures to Sichuan and no one infected with bird flu.

?对人感染禽流感的工作，首先是以预防为主。?祝小平说，?对医务人员的培训我们已经延伸到了乡级医疗机构，培训的主要内容是不明原因肺炎的处理和有关人患禽流感的知识，目前已经培训了上千人。在流行季节到来的时候，也下发了通知，要求各级疾病预防控制单位做好预防工作，做好应急预案。?疾控系统也加强了医疗技术和检测能力的培训，做好了个人防护、检验设备、应急药品和试剂的准备。​

"For people infected with bird flu, first of all is prevention." Zhu Xiaoping said that "the training of medical personnel, we have extended to the township level medical institutions, training are the main contents of pneumonia of unknown causes and treatment of people suffering from Knowledge of the bird flu, has now trained more than 1,000 people. Popular in the season, also issued a circular calling for Disease Control and Prevention unit at all preventive measures, contingency plans to do a good job. "Disease control system also enhanced Medical technology and testing the ability of the training, personal protective well, test equipment, emergency medicines and reagents preparation.

同时，由疾控部门组织编写的关于?禽流感?的相关预防知识的宣传资料也送到了农村、社区、养殖场，宣传范围越来越广。​

At the same time, organized by the disease control department on the "avian flu" related to the prevention of the promotional materials are sent to rural areas, communities, farms, the scope of the publicity has become an increasingly widespread.

?我们要求各级医院都设立发热门诊，对不明原因肺炎进行及时排查、及时报告。各级医院开始做好监测工作，监测病人病情发展情况。?祝小平告诉记者，疾控部门还加强了与畜牧部门的联动，如果畜牧部门发现了有禽流感发生，将及时通知疾控部门，疾控中心将采取有效措施对接触人员进行跟踪、随访，发现异常问题将做及时处理。​

"We call on all levels of hospitals to set up fever clinics for pneumonia of unknown causes in a timely manner for investigation, the report in a timely manner. Hospitals at all levels started to do a good job in monitoring, patient monitoring developments." Zhu Xiaoping told reporters, disease control departments have also stepped up cooperation with Livestock sector linkage, if the animal husbandry department has found bird flu occurred in a timely manner to inform the disease control department, the CDC will take effective measures for staff to track contacts, follow-up, abnormal will be done in a timely manner to address the problem.

预防到位，禽流感不可怕​

In place to prevent the avian flu is not terrible

祝小平特别提醒群众，冬季本身是流感的多发季节，在流感发生时应该减少到公共场所活动，房间应多开窗通风。​

Zhu Xiaoping to remind people that winter is more of the influenza season, influenza should be reduced to occur in public places, should be more room ventilation windows.

而对于禽流感的预防，首先是要减少与家禽的接触，特别不要接触病死家禽。​

As for bird flu prevention, first of all, is to reduce contact with poultry, in particular not to touch dead poultry.

如果接触了家禽，一定要及时洗手，保持良好的个人卫生习惯。​

If contact with poultry, must wash their hands in a timely manner, to maintain good personal hygiene habits.

在烹调鸡、鸭的时候一定要煮熟煮透，不要食用没有煮熟的家禽。​

In the cooking chickens, ducks must be cooked when Cook did not refrain from eating cooked poultry.

发现有家禽感染了禽流感或者人感染禽流感，一定要及时向相关部门报告。​

Found in poultry infected with bird flu or human infection with bird flu must be timely and relevant departments to report.

最新禽流感疫苗已面世​

The latest bird flu vaccine has been available

记者从近日在佛山市举行的中国疫苗大会上获悉，香港特区流浮山暴发禽流感疫情后，美国百特公司已将数百万剂的禽流感疫苗CELVAPAN送交全球各地政府。​

Reporters from the recently held in the city of Foshan in China's vaccine on the General Assembly was informed that Lau Fau Shan Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the bird flu outbreak, the U.S. company Baxter has a number of 1,000,000 of the bird flu vaccine CELVAPAN to the government all over the world.

大会报告介绍，今年6月，百特在禽流感疫苗CELVAPAN及制备该疫苗的Vero细胞技术平台上所取得的成就受到了世界科技领先期刊《新英格兰医学期刊》的肯定。​

The report of the General Assembly, in June this year, Baxter CELVAPAN in the bird flu vaccine and the preparation of the Vero cell vaccine technology platform on the achievements made by the world's leading science and technology journal "New England Journal of Medicine" certainly.

与传统的鸡蛋培育技术不同，百特禽流感疫苗是针对病毒的自然株起作用，专家们表示，禽流感疫苗CELVAPAN可望成为全球对抗禽流感的方案之一。​

With the traditional egg cultivation technology, Baxter is a vaccine against the bird flu virus strain naturally play a role, experts said that the bird flu vaccine CELVAPAN is expected to become the global fight against bird flu, one of the options:tiphat:http://74.125.93.104/translate_c?hl...art=30&usg=ALkJrhg0YTZTXFw0c0Dyt0FmO_eUwpjbjg
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[Treyfish]

Re: Hong Kong reports bird flu outbreak

Re: Hong Kong reports bird flu outbreak

<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="95%" align=center><TBODY><TR><TD class=news_title height=30 align=middle>Ministry of Health to deploy human bird flu prevention and control

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=20 align=middle>

食品商务网 2008-12-12 10:39:00​

Food Business Network 2008-12-12 10:39:00 </TD></TR><TR><TD height=10></TD></TR><TR><TD height=1 background=/news/images/detail_c1_03.jpg></TD></TR><TR><TD height=20></TD></TR><TR><TD>

卫生部部署人禽流感防控​

Ministry of Health to deploy human bird flu prevention and control

卫生部表示，今年禽流感和人禽流感疫情都可能发生​

The Ministry of Health said that this year, avian influenza and human bird flu could happen

针对香港一鸡养殖场发生禽流感一事，昨日卫生部表示，根据有关专家对疫情的风险评估来看，今年动物疫情和个别人感染病例都有可能发生。​

For a chicken farm in Hong Kong outbreak of avian flu, the Ministry of Health said yesterday, according to experts on risk assessment of the epidemic, the epidemic situation this year, and individual cases of human infection can happen.

目前，卫生部已对全国预防人感染高致病性禽流感的工作进行了全面部署。​

At present, the Ministry of Health has been on the national prevention of human infection of highly pathogenic avian influenza to carry out the work of a comprehensive plan.

今年提出，要在过去的基础上加大对人感染高致病性禽流感疫情的监测力度。​

This year, in the past on the basis of the increase of human infection of highly pathogenic avian flu monitoring efforts.

对于一些可疑的、不明原因的肺炎病例，都将及时报告，并组织专家及时会诊和鉴别。​

For a number of suspicious, unexplained pneumonia cases, will report in a timely manner, and to organize expert consultations and to identify in a timely manner.

一旦发现人感染高致病性禽流感病例，将按照处置禽流感疫情的要求采取相应的措施。​

Once people are infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza cases will be disposed of in accordance with the requirements of the bird flu epidemic to take corresponding measures.

卫生部提醒公众，特别是与家禽有接触的工作人员，要尽量减少与家禽、特别是病死家禽的接触机会。​

The Ministry of Health reminded the public, especially poultry and have contact with the staff, and to minimize the poultry, particularly poultry died of exposure.

香港今冬可能停售活鸡​

Possible moratorium on the sale of live chickens in Hong Kong this winter

香港元朗凤降村鸡场出现H5型禽流感病毒，香港有关部门宣布全港21天内暂停活鸡上市及从内地进口活鸡。​

Fung Kong Tsuen, Yuen Long Hong Kong chicken farms appear H5-type bird flu virus, the Hong Kong authorities announced the territory within 21 days of the suspension of listing of live chickens and live chickens imported from the Mainland.

香港食物及卫生局局长周一岳表示，考虑到香港已经成为禽流感疫区的一部分，所以不容许任何活鸡，甚至是鸟类再进入香港。​

Hong Kong Secretary for Health and Food York Chow said Hong Kong, taking into account the bird flu epidemic has become a part of it does not allow any live chickens, birds and even re-enter Hong Kong.

?我可以告诉大家，今年我们过冬，没有活鸡。?​

"I can tell you that this winter we did not live."

尚难确认禽流感病毒变种​

And so far no confirmation of bird flu virus

至于香港发生禽流感的起因，周一岳推测说，该养鸡场防鸟网方面可能做得不够，导致野鸟进入鸡场内，也有可能是其工作人员不经意带进一些譬如野鸟的粪便等东西进入鸡场，从而导致鸡只感染。​

As for the Hong Kong outbreak of avian flu in the cause, York Chow said that the anti-bird farms Net may have not done enough, leading to wild birds entering the farm, there may be some staff inadvertently into the feces of wild birds, for example, and so on East and West into the farms, resulting in infected chickens.

而专家认为，在事发鸡场死亡的活鸡中，不仅有没打疫苗的鸡，还有部分打过疫苗的活鸡。​

The experts believe that the incident in the death of chickens in farms is not only not playing chicken vaccine, and played some of the live vaccine.

香港今年6月和12月先后暴发禽流感疫情，表明病毒活跃，可能发生变种。​

Hong Kong in June this year and in December after another outbreak of bird flu, indicating active virus, may mutate.

此次连打了疫苗的活鸡也受感染，说明疫苗或可能已失效。​

The vaccine has not even hit the chickens are infected, or that the vaccine may no longer valid.

一旦疫苗失效属实，这意味着全港的活鸡失去防疫保障。​

Once the vaccine failure is true, which means the loss of live chickens in Hong Kong's quarantine protection.

周一岳对此表示，目前难以确认禽流感病毒变种，仍需待专家化验和基因排序才能确定病毒暴发的过程，以及是否涉及病毒变种。​

York Chow said, it is difficult to confirm bird flu virus still need to be made by experts and laboratory tests to determine the genetic sequencing of the virus outbreak, and whether the virus involved.

周一岳称，活鸡使用的疫苗来自荷兰，现已使用6年。​

York Chow said the use of live vaccines from the Netherlands, now 6 years of use. :tiphat:http://74.125.93.104/translate_c?hl...art=30&usg=ALkJrhhcIwYPTuwJs-VkuUzVxyd0wIzU7A
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Hong Kong reports bird flu outbreak

Re: Hong Kong reports bird flu outbreak

Source: http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=11&art_id=76068&sid=21959514&con_type=3

Dead chickens get H5N1 mutation all-clear

Adele Wong

Friday, December 19, 2008


The H5N1 virus found in dead chickens in a Yuen Long farm had not mutated, Undersecretary for Food and Health Gabriel Leung told the Legislative Council's panel on food safety and environmental hygiene yesterday.

The genetic sequencing of the bird flu virus detected in the farm on December 9 did not contain obvious differences from previous viruses, Leung told the panel.

Leung also said more tests were needed to find out how the chickens contracted the virus.

There was also good news for the public - live chickens can be sold again as early as December 30 if things go smoothly.

The early end to the normal 21-day no-chicken ban means the birds will once again be on the menu for Lunar New Year family festivities.

Meanwhile, an Agriculture Fisheries and Conservation Department spokeswoman yesterday explained why the government has been using an H5N2 vaccine manufactured in the Netherlands to protect local chickens from the flu since 2003, even though recent outbreaks showed the virus strain to be subtype H5N1. She said when vaccines were first introduced to local chicken farms, tests had shown the H5N2 vaccine to be effective against the viruses found in South China.

"The H5N2 vaccine is also effective against H5N1 viruses," the spokeswoman said, adding that in 2006, the government had let US authorities test the vaccine, which also showed it is effective for use in southern China.

"However, no vaccine is 100 percent effective. The government has set up an
investigation group on avian influenza to look into the matter," she said.

 

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Hong Kong reports bird flu outbreak

Re: Hong Kong reports bird flu outbreak

subscription source, just a snip

Fujian strain of bird flu responsible for Yuen Long outbreak


Mary Ann Benitez

Dec 19, 2008

The H5N1 bird flu virus that killed hundreds of unvaccinated and vaccinated birds in a Yuen Long farm in just a few hours was the Fujian strain, a further indication that the virus is local. ...

http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCM...VCM100000360a0a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=teaser&s=news

 

[Sally Furniss]

Re: Hong Kong reports bird flu outbreak

Re: Hong Kong reports bird flu outbreak

Data: a chicken farm in Yuen Long has found that chickens infected with avian flu, the Hong Kong market on December 10 provisional supply of live chickens. China issued photo Tan Tat-ming

BEIJING, Dec. 19, according to Xinhua in Hong Kong, "Wen Wei Po" reported that the University of Hong Kong to complete the outbreak of the avian flu epidemic farms gene sequencing of the virus, preliminary results showed that the farm is no avian influenza virus gene variant, and the virus was found with the mainland species Different. Instead, the Hong Kong market and the recent outbreak of bird flu, as well as a similar virus found in wild birds.

Hong Kong Food and Health Bureau said that the need to further investigate the possibility of chicken smuggling, but said to be launched at the 30th day of the month to resume the supply of live chickens.

18 Legislative Council Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene Panel, the Food and Health Bureau deputy director of the Gabriel Leung said, are investigating the outbreak of bird flu farm in Yuen Long incident. Hong Kong and the preliminary results of sequencing the virus gene and found that the bird flu virus belonging to the Fujian-H5N1, but no significant signs of mutation, and other inspections of the farm, there have been no reports of infected chickens.

Gabriel Leung said that the expert's report to be completed, and depending on the surrounding areas, including the risk of avian influenza in the Mainland, if there is no outbreak of bird flu, is expected to retail outlets on the 30th of this month to resume the sale of live chickens. He also said that no plan to grant temporary licenses back to the chicken vendors, but it will speed up the processing of license applications for chilled chickens.

Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department Assistant Director Dr Thomas Sit said that the virus caused the farms, markets and the recent discovery of avian flu and similar viruses found in wild birds, and species are not found in the mainland, Hong Kong is believed to be at or near the region into the Farms still can not rule out the possibility of smuggling of chicken, so we have to wait until after the results of the report as confirmation.

At the meeting on the 18th, more than Members of the view that the Government should step up measures to control bird flu. Mr Wong Kwok Kin questioned whether the inflow of smuggled chickens, the spread of bird flu. Mr Tommy and said that the current vaccine for chicken is no longer valid, asked the Government to develop new vaccines as soon as possible. Gabriel Leung said the panel of experts is assessing the effectiveness of the vaccine to determine whether or not applicable to Hong Kong, the units are in close communication with Customs to intercept smuggling of chicken import.

Gabriel Leung said the SAR Government's concern at the Spring Festival period, the wholesale market due to leave rather than live chicken wholesale. Relevant parties will, in consultation with the wholesalers and retailers, arrangements for the wholesale market in 30 years, the Chinese New Year Day and night, continue to function, so that Japan's Nissin chicken retail vendors in the Spring Festival period to pick up the wholesale market.

http://www.chinanews.com.cn/ga/kjww/news/2008/12-19/1494285.shtml

 

[Sally Furniss]

Re: Hong Kong reports bird flu outbreak

Re: Hong Kong reports bird flu outbreak

Chilled chickens hidden in the vegetables to muddle through

Ocean News Time: 2008-12-24 Source: Guangzhou Daily Author:阮晓光

By (Xinhua阮晓光correspondent李慧颖) from Sha Tau Kok yesterday's Frontier Inspection Station was informed that in recent days, the station and seized part of suppliers to do to cover up the use of vegetables, chickens muddle through smuggled into Hong Kong. In order to prevent the spread of avian influenza virus, the station has increased entry and exit ports passengers, vehicles carrying goods inspections to crack down on smuggling of live food.

It is understood that these seized suppliers are generally mixed with the chilled container Brassica styrofoam box, and then the illegal purchase of vegetables, CO, so to cover up the use of vegetables, chickens muddle through smuggled into Hong Kong , supply the Hong Kong restaurant.

These untested likely smuggled chilled with avian flu virus.

Shenzhen border sector, said as a result of approach of the festive season, the chickens supplied to Hong Kong, the demand for increased smuggling activities become more rampant, driven by profit.

During the festival together with a substantial increase in passenger traffic, inspection difficult, smugglers since that has come to a "golden opportunity", repeatedly scraped.

Border sector that will, together with the customs, inspection and quarantine and other relevant departments to take joint action, increase of vehicles, especially private cars body checks to prevent some "water off" the use of private cars, "蚂蚁搬家" to carry out fresh food smuggling.

http://gzdaily.dayoo.com/html/2008-12/24/content_419254.htm

 

[HenryN]

Re: Hong Kong reports bird flu outbreak

Re: Hong Kong reports bird flu outbreak

Wild birds likely cause of avian flu outbreak
Nickkita Lau
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
A recent bird flu outbreak was likely caused by droppings from migrating wild birds rather than from smuggled ones, experts believe.
A government-appointed committee has completed its initial investigation into the deaths of 200 chickens in a Yuen Long farm early last month, which led to a cull of 100,000 birds and a 21-day ban on the sale of fresh fowl. The report will be submitted to the Food and Health Bureau this week.
According to a source, the report studied several possible factors behind the contamination but concluded there was no evidence linking it to smuggling activities. It was more likely caused by contaminated feces dropped by migrating birds inside the farm or nearby area, the report said. It may have stuck onto a worker's garment and was carried into the farm, it said.
ADVERTISEMENT

Veterinarians and experts of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department who visited the farm found room for improvement in some of the biosecurity measures already in place. They made 10 suggestions to prevent another outbreak.
Another source said biosecurity and vaccines are the two most important things farms need to control in order to prevent bird flu outbreaks.
The source said it was questionable whether all chickens on the farm were vaccinated, but that trying to identify the real cause of the infection was challenging since much of the evidence had been lost during the cull.
The owner, Wong Yee-chuen, said the farm is still being sanitized and cannot resume operations until the government is satisfied with the hygiene conditions.
The AFCD suggested that a metal cover be built for the chicken houses to avoid droppings of migrating birds. It also suggested workers change gloves when handling different lots of chickens to prevent cross contamination.
Wong said he welcomed all suggestions made by the committee as long as they were viable and reasonable. Workers, from now on, will wear thin plastics gloves on top of cotton ones.
He said the outbreak and the aftermath has cost him HK$2 million to HK$3 million.

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=11&art_id=76644&sid=22119405&con_type=1

 

[HenryN]

Re: Hong Kong reports bird flu outbreak

Re: Hong Kong reports bird flu outbreak

<TABLE cellSpacing=5 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=bottom align=left>Sparrows living at Yuen Long farm linked to latest bird flu outbreak

</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=bottom align=left>

</TD></TR><TR><TD bgColor=#999999 height=1></TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>Ella Lee
Jan 06, 2009 </TD></TR><TR><TD>Experts who visited the Yuen Long chicken farm at the centre of the latest bird flu outbreak found important evidence flying around - sparrows....

http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCM...0a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=teaser&ss=hong+kong&s=news
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[HenryN]

Re: Hong Kong reports bird flu outbreak

Re: Hong Kong reports bird flu outbreak

<TABLE cellSpacing=5 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=bottom align=left>Sparrows living at Yuen Long farm linked to latest bird flu outbreak


</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=bottom align=left>


</TD></TR><TR><TD bgColor=#999999 height=1></TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>Ella Lee
Jan 06, 2009
</TD></TR><TR><TD>Experts who visited the Yuen Long chicken farm at the centre of the latest bird flu outbreak found important evidence flying around - sparrows....

http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCM...0a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=teaser&ss=hong+kong&s=news

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

The above story does not identify H5N1 in sparrows, but does note that sparrows had come through small openings in barriers designed to keep wild birds segregated from the poultry, and the barriers failed to keep sparrows from the chickens.

Recommendations were made for improved biosecurity, which included eliminating the holes.

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: Hong Kong reports bird flu outbreak

Re: Hong Kong reports bird flu outbreak

Hong Kong Yuen Long farm explosion of bird flu, suspected due to faecal contamination of birds. （图片来源：文汇报） (Photo Source: Wen Wei Po)
【点击查看其它图片】 【Click to view other picture】

中新网1月6日电据香港《文汇报》报道，香港元朗凤降村一个鸡场上月证实爆发禽流感，特区政府专家小组已完成初步调查。

By January 6, according to Xinhua in Hong Kong, "Wen Wei Po" reported that the Hong Kong Fung Kong Tsuen, Yuen Long, a chicken farm last month, confirmed the outbreak of avian flu, the SAR Government Expert Group has completed the initial investigation. 渔农自然护理署表示，预计小组本周内将报告提交食物及卫生局。

Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said the group is expected this week to submit the report to the Food and Health Bureau.

有消息指出，报告没有提到和走私鸡有关，引致事件的原因，有可能是农场生物保安措施做得不足，令野鸟的粪便有机会掉在农场或附近范围，散播病毒。

Sources pointed out that the report did not mention the chicken and smuggling-related, resulting in the incident, there may be farm biosecurity measures have not done enough, so that the faeces of wild birds have the opportunity to swap the farm or in the vicinity of the scope of the spread of the virus.

由香港大学微生物学系系主任袁国勇、港大实验动物中心主任劳敬信、渔护署助理署长薛汉宗等专家组成的研究流行病理学调查小组，早前曾到肇事的凤降村鸡场视察，调查禽流感病毒的源头及入侵途径。

By the Hong Kong University microbiology Yuen Kwok-yung, Head, Department of Hong Kong director of the Center for Laboratory Animal labor Jingxin, AFCD Assistant Director Dr Thomas Sit research experts such as epidemiological investigation team of the incident earlier in Fung Kong Tsuen farm inspections to investigate the source of the avian flu virus and the invasion of ways. 据悉，专家小组怀疑防雀网有穿洞孔，令到野鸟有机会散播病毒，使鸡舍受到污染。

It is learned that the expert group of suspected anti-bird nets have holes holes, so that wild birds have the opportunity to spread the virus, so that sheds be contaminated.

而农场内部分生物保安措施仍有改善空间，报告初步提出了逾10项建议，希望防止禽流感再次爆发。

And farm biosecurity measures are still some room for improvement, the report put forward more than 10 recommendations to prevent another outbreak of avian flu.

不过，鸡场场主黄宜全表示，防雀网在2个月前才更换，而农场范围都放有消毒粉，但相信仍有机会是野鸟的鸟粪导致鸡只感染病毒。

However, Dr farmer said that the anti-bird nets in two months ago to replace, and the scope of all farms have put disinfectant, it is believed that there are still opportunities for wild birds led to the guano chickens infected with a virus.

他说：?雀仔拉屎下去(鸡舍)，但未必一下子完全通过防雀网跌下去，而雀屎有多残留分泌物，或是粘在网上再跌下去。?他续称，现时已用铁皮覆盖外露的防雀网。

He said: "bird **** go (sheds), but not necessarily all of a sudden entirely through or go on anti-bird nets, and bird feces have residual secretions, or stick it in the fall line." He added that at present We have spent over the exposed metal cover anti-bird nets.

黄宜全又说，现时仍要为鸡场进行消毒清洗，而较早前到场视察的官员和专家则建议，最先爆发禽流感的鸡棚，其防雀网应改用密封物料，每批鸡只也应用不同手套处理，防止病毒交叉感染。

Dr Quan also said that, at present, disinfection of chicken farms still cleaning, and earlier to inspect the officials and experts suggested that the first outbreak of avian flu in sheds, and its anti-bird nets should switch to seal materials, the chickens Applications are also dealing with different gloves to prevent cross infection.

肇事鸡场上月9日证实爆发H5N1禽流感，要销毁鸡场及附近的一个鸡场共8万只活鸡，全港要暂停活鸡供应21天。

Farm accident on the 9th of last month confirmed that the outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza, it is necessary to destroy a nearby chicken farms and chicken farms a total of 80,000 live chickens in Hong Kong to suspend the supply of live chickens to 21 days.

渔护署发言人5日呼吁市民切勿非法散养家禽，否则会被检控。

An AFCD spokesman said on the 5th to urge the public not illegal backyard poultry, or risk prosecution.

渔护署人员5日在八乡七星岗村巡查，发现一名女子在家中非法饲养12只活鸡。

AFCD staff on the 5th Sing Kong Tsuen, Pat Heung, inspect and found a woman at home, illegal keeping of live chickens 12. 检获的活鸡被送往位于上水的动物管理中心，在抽取样本后，已全数销毁。

The seizure was sent to live in Sheung Shui Animal Management Center, in the samples, we have all the destruction.

发言人说，任何人如未经许可而散养活家禽(鸡、鸭、鹅、鸽和鹌鹑)均属违法，违者最高可被罚款5万至10万元。 The spokesman said that any unauthorized person who scattered to feed poultry (chickens, ducks, geese, pigeons and quails) is an offense liable to a maximum fine of 5-10000 yuan.


http://auto.chinanews.com.cn/ga/kjww/news/2009/01-06/1515391.shtml

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: Hong Kong reports bird flu outbreak

Re: Hong Kong reports bird flu outbreak

hat tip Senior Moderator Fla Medic -

Carcasses of a goose and two ducks tested positive for H5 virus
********************************************************** Preliminary testing of a dead goose and two dead ducks found in Sha Lo Wan, Lantau has indicated a suspected case of H5 avian influenza, a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (January 31), adding that further confirmatory tests were being conducted.

The carcasses of a goose and a duck were found and collected on January 29 at a beach near Sha Lo Wan football pitch. They were highly decomposed when being found. Today AFCD staff collected another dead duck at the same location.

The spokesman said there were no poultry farms within three kilometres of where the carcasses were found. This morning AFCD staff conducted inspection of the beach and the nearby villages of Sha Lo Wan Tsuen and Sha Lo Wan San Tsuen. There was no evidence of any backyard poultry being kept there.

AFCD is very concerned about the incident and will continue to monitor the situation. Inspections of the beach and its vicinity will be stepped up. The department is looking into different possibilities of why the goose and duck carcasses were found at the beach, including whether they had been washed ashore or dumped.

The spokesman said a ban on backyard poultry has been in force since 2006. Unauthorised keeping of five kinds of poultry -chickens, ducks, geese, pigeons or quails – is an offence with a maximum fine of $50,000. Repeat offenders are subject to a maximum fine of $100,000.

"The public can call 1823 Call Centre for follow up if they come across suspicious sick or dead birds, including carcasses of wild birds and poultry," the spokesman said.

The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health (DH) is contacting relevant parties and has put them under medical surveillance. People are advised to consult their doctors for medical advice promptly if they develop symptoms of 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.

"In view of the case, the AFCD has phoned poultry farmers reminding them to strengthen precautionary and biosecurity measures against avian influenza. Pet bird shop owners, licence holders of pet poultry and racing pigeons have also been reminded to take proper precautions," the spokesman said.

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

DH will enhance 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 strictly implement preventive and control measures against avian influenza.

Ends/Saturday, January 31, 2009
Issued at HKT 21:26

 

[HenryN]

Re: Hong Kong - Poultry/animals/wild birds H5N1 Dec. 18, 2008 +

Deadly H5N1 avian flu found in Hong Kong birds

</ABBR>

<!-- end .byline --><!-- end: .hd --> <CITE class=caption>AFP/File – Health Authority workers rest after taking part in a mass chicken slaughter operation at a wholesale … </CITE>

<!-- end #main-media -->
<!-- end .primary-media -->
<!-- end .related-media -->HONG KONG (AFP) – A dead goose and two dead ducks found on a Hong Kong island last week have tested positive for the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu, officials said Wednesday.
The birds were found on January 29 and 31 on a beach on Lantau island and preliminary tests showed they had tested positive for H5 avian influenza.
Further tests confirmed it was the H5N1 strain of the virus, a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said in a statement.
Two more dead chickens were collected on the island Wednesday, the spokesman said, adding that preliminary tests for the H5 virus were being arranged.
Earlier, officials said a total of 17 dead birds had washed up on beaches on the mostly rural island in recent days.
H5N1 was found in a chicken at a Hong Kong poultry farm in December, prompting the slaughter of more than 90,000 chickens.
Hong Kong was the scene of the world's first reported major H5N1 bird flu outbreak among humans in 1997, when six people died. The deadly virus has killed about 250 people worldwide since late 2003.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090204/wl_asia_afp/healthfluhongkong