The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) of
Hong Kong confirmed on Wednesday that a Grey Heron found in Lok Ma
Chau area had tested positive for H5N1?-- the virus that
causes avian flu.
A government spokesperson said: "The dead bird, which was first
found by a worker of the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line project within the
restricted area of Lok Ma Chau, was handed to AFCD for diagnostic
testing on November 1. Swab and tissue samples from the bird were
confirmed positive for H5N1 avian influenza virus today."
The Center for Health Protection (CHP) has also initiated a
surveillance program for public health monitoring.
"All poultry farms in the vicinity of where the dead bird was
found, totaling 37, have been inspected by AFCD staff. There was no
abnormal mortality and the chickens showed no symptoms of avian
influenza. Farmers have been alerted to pay special attention to
their bird-proofing facilities and to strictly implement
bio-security measures," the spokesperson said.
"As a precautionary measure, the AFCD will step up its farm
inspection program and wild bird surveillance program at
recreational parks during the next few days. The Food and
Environmental Hygiene Department will also continue to closely
monitor the situation at the retail markets."
The spokesperson said the CHP was monitoring the health of the
seven people who had had contact with the dead bird.
"As the CHP has taken immediate and prompt actions to initiate
its surveillance program on public health, and made all necessary
arrangements for those in contact with the infected dead bird, it
is unlikely that the virus has been able to spread in the
community. Therefore, we believe that there is no immediate threat
to the public health," he said.
Hong Kong's health departments urged the public to observe good
personal hygiene and avoid contact with wild birds and live
poultry.
Since 1998, Hong Kong has put in place a comprehensive
surveillance program?that enables the relevant authorities to
monitor human influenza activity and detect the presence of avian
influenza viruses in the environment.
In 2003, the government extended the surveillance program to
wild birds in recreational parks so as to ensure timely detection
of the presence of any avian influenza viruses in the environment
and possible changes in the viruses. Under the surveillance
program, more than 2,000 samples have been tested since January
2004.
The migratory Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) is an abundant
winter visitor to Hong Kong, but rare in summer.
(Xinhua News Agency November 4, 2004)