:.H5N1+ WILD BIRD IN HONG KONG:.:

[ironorehopper]

From HK SAR Info:
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Black-crowned Night Heron tested for H5 virus

Preliminary testing of a Black-crowned Night Heron found in Southern District had indicated a suspected case of H5 avian influenza, a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (January 30), adding that further confirmatory tests were being conducted.

The bird carcass was collected on January 28 at the Ocean Park, Southern District. The Black-crowned Night Heron is a common resident and winter visitor to Hong Kong.

"As a precautionary measure, the walk-in aviaries in the Ocean Park will be temporarily closed to visitors for 21 days starting tomorrow (January 31). We will monitor the situation closely and review the closure period as necessary," the spokesman said.

Since 2005, faecal samples of the birds kept by the Ocean Park have been submitted to AFCD for H5 testing as part of the overall avian influenza surveillance programme. All samples collected from the Park have tested negative so far.

AFCD has always maintained close communication with the Ocean Park to ensure precautionary measures against avian influenza are in place to safeguard public health. In view of the suspected case, both parties will continue to work closely.

The spokesman said there were no chicken farms within three kilometres of where the bird was found.

"In view of this case, 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 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.

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 outbreak 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 eating.


Ends/Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Issued at HKT 23:15

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http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/2...0801300320.htm
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[ironorehopper]

From INFO.HK:
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Black-crowned Night Heron tests positive for H5N1 virus

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said today (February 1) that the Black-crowned Night Heron found earlier in Southern District was confirmed to be H5N1 positive after a series of laboratory tests.

The bird carcass was collected on January 28 at the Ocean Park, Southern District. The Black-crowned Night Heron is a common resident and winter visitor 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.



Ends/Friday, February 1, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:16

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http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/2...0802010224.htm
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[ironorehopper]

Great Egret tested for H5 virus
Feb 5, 2008
Preliminary testing of a Great Egret found in Yuen Long had indicated a suspected case of H5 avian influenza, a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (February 5), adding that further confirmatory tests were being conducted.
The bird carcass was found and collected on February 2 at Tam Kon Chau, Yuen Long.
The Great Egret is a common resident and winter visitor to Hong Kong.
"As a precautionary measure, the Mai Po Nature Reserve will be temporarily closed to visitors for 21 days starting tomorrow (February 6). We will monitor the situation closely and review the closure period as necessary," the spokesman said.
AFCD has maintained a stringent monitoring regime on wild birds in the Mai Po Nature Reserve and collected faecal samples for H5 testing since the winter of 2002.
AFCD and the Mai Po Nature Reserve have always maintained close communication with each other to ensure precautionary measures against avian influenza are in place to safeguard public health. The spokesman said there were no chicken farms within three kilometres of where the bird was found.
"In view of this case, 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 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.
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 outbreak 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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http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/2...0802050255.htm
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[HenryN]

Hong Kong closes bird sanctuary for 3 weeks after suspected bird flu death nearby

HONG KONG (AP): Hong Kong ordered its famed Mai Po bird sanctuary closed for three weeks starting Wednesday after a Great Egret found nearby was suspected of dying from bird flu, agriculture officials said.
Preliminary tests indicated the Great Egret may have contracted the H5 virus, and further tests were being conducted to confirm whether it was the virulent H5N1 sub strain, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said late Tuesday.
The government said it would close the bird sanctuary for three weeks as a precautionary measure.
Last year, Hong Kong discovered 21 wild birds infected with H5N1, but it has not suffered a major outbreak of the disease since 1997, when the virus killed six people, prompting the government to slaughter the entire poultry population of about 1.5 million birds. At least 226 people have died worldwide from avian flu since late 2003, according to the World Health Organization. Most cases have been linked to contact with infected birds, but scientists believe limited human-to-human transmission has occurred among some family members in close contact.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp...31&sec=apworld

[HenryN]

Commentary

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/02...ve_Closed.html

[Dutchy]

OIE-report: http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/public...&reportid=6761

[AlaskaDenise]

Originally Posted by niman

Commentary

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/02...ve_Closed.html

Commentary

H5N1 Closes Another Nature Reserve in Hong Kong

Recombinomics Commentary 08:04
February 6, 2008

Preliminary testing of a Great Egret found in Yuen Long had indicated a suspected case of H5 avian influenza, a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (February 5), adding that further confirmatory tests were being conducted.

The bird carcass was found and collected on February 2 at Tam Kon Chau, Yuen Long.

The Great Egret is a common resident and winter visitor to Hong Kong.
"As a precautionary measure, the Mai Po Nature Reserve will be temporarily closed to visitors for 21 days starting tomorrow (February 6).

The above comments describe the closing of the Mai Po Nature Reserve following the H5 confirmation in a Great Egret. This closure comes on the heals of another Hong Kong closure, the walk-in aviaries in Ocean Park due to H5 in another wild bird, a Black-crowned Night Heron.

It is likely that both birds were infected with the Fujian strain (clade 2.3) of H5N1, which has been detected at this time of the year for the past three years. In the past bird watching groups have tried to link the dead wild birds to religious ceremonies, but this season reports of H5N1 positive dead birds began early with an H5N1 positive egret in November, 2007, precluding linkages with the release of ornamental birds, which happen in January.

The H5N1 in wild birds in Hong Kong signal the transport and transmission of H5N1 by wild birds. In southern China in recent years, this movement involves the Fujian strain. In areas west of China, this movement involves the Qinghai strain (clade 2.2) or a clade 2.2.3 variant, the Uva Lake strain.

In late 2006 there was speculation that the spread of the Fujian strain in southern China and southeast east represented a “third wave” which would lead to the dominance of the Fujian strain worldwide. This speculation was without a sound basis because the data was based on samples collected between mid 2005 and mid 2006, when the vast majority of isolates from fecal samples from farms in southern China were the Fujian strain. However, in the same time period, the Qinghai strain was spreading to 50 countries west of China, and the testing from China yielder only one Qinghai isolate (from Shantou) out of 404 reported isolates.

Subsequently, reports of the Fujian strain have been limited to southern China and southeast Asia, while the Qinghai strain, or the Uva Lake variant, has been reported west of China in an increasing number of countries.

Thus, the H5 in Hong Kong provides additional evidence for H5N1 in wild birds, and the recurring pattern involves clade specific transport and transmission by wild birds.


.

[ironorehopper]

From HK info:
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Great Egret tests positive for H5N1 virus

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said today (February 9) that the Great Egret found earlier in Yuen Long was confirmed to be H5N1 positive after a series of laboratory tests.

The bird carcass was found and collected on February 2 at Tam Kon Chau, Yuen Long. Great Egret is a common resident and winter visitor 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.


Ends/Saturday, February 9, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:42

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http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/2...0802090154.htm
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[sharon sanders]

Bird carcass found H5-positive


A great egret found in Yuen Long has been confirmed to have H5 avian influenza, the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department says.

The carcass was found and collected on February 2 at Tam Kon Chau. There are no chicken farms within three kilometres of where the bird was found. Mai Po Nature Reserve has been closed since February 6 for 21 days.

To prevent the spread of bird flu to people, observe good personal hygiene. Avoid personal contact with wild birds or live poultry and clean your hands thoroughly after coming into contact with them.






http://www.news.gov.hk/en/category/h...205en05004.htm

[ironorehopper]

Originally Posted by Florida1

Bird carcass found H5-positive


A great egret found in Yuen Long has been confirmed to have H5 avian influenza, the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department says.

The carcass was found and collected on February 2 at Tam Kon Chau. There are no chicken farms within three kilometres of where the bird was found. Mai Po Nature Reserve has been closed since February 6 for 21 days.

To prevent the spread of bird flu to people, observe good personal hygiene. Avoid personal contact with wild birds or live poultry and clean your hands thoroughly after coming into contact with them.






http://www.news.gov.hk/en/category/h...205en05004.htm

Isn't the same Great Egret posted in the previous post?

[ironorehopper]

From INFO.HK:
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Grey Heron tested for H5 virus

Preliminary testing of a Grey Heron found in Lok Ma Chau had indicated a suspected case of H5 avian influenza, a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (February 11), adding that further confirmatory tests were being conducted.

The bird carcass was found and collected on February 8 near San Sam Road, Lok Ma Chau. Grey Heron is a kind of waterbird and common winter visitor to Hong Kong.

The spokesman said there are three commercial chicken farms within three kilometers of where the bird was found. The AFCD had immediately dispatched inspection staff to these chicken farms, and had found no abnormal mortality or symptoms of avian influenza among the chicken flocks.

"In view of this case, the AFCD has phoned 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.

"In particular, the three chicken farms will be put under enhanced surveillance."

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 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.

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.


Ends/Monday, February 11, 2008
Issued at HKT 20:10

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http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/2...0802110213.htm
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[sharon sanders]

Originally Posted by ironorehopper

Isn't the same Great Egret posted in the previous post?

Yes, but there was additional information about the chicken farms and the reserve. Many times news sources will issue the same story over again with additional paragraphs or deletions.

[ironorehopper]

From HK.INFO:
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Oriental Magpie Robin tested for H5 virus

Preliminary testing of a dead Oriental Magpie Robin found in Cheung Sha Wan had indicated a suspected case of H5 avian influenza, a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (February 12), adding that further confirmatory tests were being conducted.

The bird carcass was found and collected on February 10 at Cheung Sha Wan Wholesale Food Market. Oriental Magpie Robin is a common resident bird in Hong Kong.

"In view of this case, we will conduct a thorough cleansing cum disinfection operation in both the Wholesale Food Market and the Temporary Wholesale Poultry Market in Cheung Sha Wan tomorrow. We will also step up inspections and surveillance of the wholesale poultry market and remind wholesalers to maintain good hygiene to ensure that proper precautions against avian influenza have been implemented.," the spokesman said.

The AFCD will step up inspections of poultry farms and 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 department will also 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 will continue to maintain a clean environment for the public and step up its cleansing operations in the Cheung Sha Wan area in particular.

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.


Ends/Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Issued at HKT 21:11

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http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/2...0802120222.htm
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[HenryN]

H5N1 found in market

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Authorities are stepping up health measures at Cheung Sha Wan Wholesale Food Market after an oriental magpie robin found there tested positive for the H5 avian flu virus.

A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said last night the bird, a common species in Hong Kong, was found on Friday.
"In view of the tentative finding, we will conduct a thorough cleansing and disinfection operation in both the Wholesale Food Market and the Temporary Wholesale Poultry Market in Cheung Sha Wan tomorrow," the spokesman said. "We will also step up inspections and surveillance of the wholesale poultry market."
The AFCD will step up farm inspections and phone farmers to remind them to strengthen precautionary measures. Letters will be issued to owners of businesses involving live birds reminding them that proper precautions must be taken.
A black-crowned night heron found at Ocean Park tested positive for H5N1 on January 28.
STAFF REPORTER
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_d...500&con_type=1

[sharon sanders]

Hong Kong disinfects markets after bird flu scare

Wed Feb 13, 2008 1:20am EST
HONG KONG, Feb 13 (Reuters) - Hong Kong health workers disinfected two wholesale food markets on Wednesday following the discovery of a dead wild bird suspected to have died from bird flu.

The bird was found on Sunday at the Cheung Sha Wan wholesale food market in west Kowloon, which is near a temporary wholesale poultry market.

"We will step up inspections and surveillance of the wholesale poultry market and remind wholesalers to maintain good hygiene to ensure that proper precautions against avian influenza have been implemented," a spokesperson for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said.

Further tests were being conducted on the Magpie Robin, a wild bird resident in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong detected 21 birds with the H5N1 virus last year and three birds so far this year.

Although birdflu remains mainly an animal disease, experts fear the virus could mutate into a form that spreads easily among humans and kill millions.

In recent weeks, the discovery of H5N1 infected dead birds have forced the closure of Hong Kong's world famous Mai Po bird reserve and aviaries at the popular Ocean Park theme park.

(Reporting by James Pomfret; Editing by Nick Macfie)

http://www.reuters.com/article/afric.../idUSHKG284823

[HenryN]

Feb 14, 3:02 AM EST Dead gray heron in Hong Kong tests positive for bird flu

HONG KONG (AP) -- A dead gray heron found in Hong Kong tested positive for the virulent H5N1 strain of bird flu, the third such case this year in the territory, the government said Thursday. Tests confirmed the bird had the H5N1 virus after it was discovered near the territory's border with mainland China last Friday, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said in a statement. The gray heron is a water bird that frequently visits Hong Kong in the winter. The city's famed Mai Po bird sanctuary and aviaries in popular Ocean Park were closed for three weeks in late January after two bird carcasses found nearby were infected with the virus. An oriental magpie robin found Monday in a wholesale food market was also suspected of having died from bird flu. Further tests were being conducted. Last year, Hong Kong discovered 21 wild birds with H5N1, but the territory has not suffered a major outbreak of the disease since 1997, when the virus killed six people, prompting the government to slaughter the entire poultry population of about 1.5 million birds. At least 226 people have died worldwide from avian flu since late 2003, according to the World Health Organization. Most cases have been linked to contact with infected birds, but health officials believe limited human-to-human transmission has occurred among some family members in close contact.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories...02-14-03-02-57

[HenryN]

Commentary at

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/02...K_WB_More.html

[sharon sanders]

HONG KONG
Authorities said Friday that a wild bird found dead in Hong Kong has tested positive for the dangerous H5N1 bird flu virus strain -- the territory's second case in two days.
The dead oriental magpie robin, native to Asia, was found at a food market Sunday according to a statement from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.
It was Hong Kong's fourth announcement of an H5N1 case in a bird this year, and came a day after authorities said a gray heron tested positive for the virus.
Last year Hong Kong discovered 21 wild birds with H5N1 but has not suffered a major outbreak of the disease since the virus killed six people in 1997, prompting the government to slaughter the territory's entire poultry population of about 1.5 million birds.
At least 226 people have died of bird flu worldwide since late 2003, according to the World Health Organization. Most human cases have been linked to contact with infected birds, but health experts worry the virus could mutate into a form that passes easily among humans, sparking a pandemic.

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/finan.../D8UQRJ700.htm

[sharon sanders]

HONG KONG: Another heron found with bird flu - 18/02/2008


Five years after avian influenza broke out across Asia, the region is still struggling to stop the virus spread. Not least in Hong Kong, where officials say another grey heron has been found dead and tested positive for the fatal H 5 N 1 strain of bird flu.



ABBANY: When it comes to avian influenza, the grey heron is one of those dreaded things: a bird that moves around. Described by the South China Morning Post as a 'common winter visitor to Hong Kong', this latest dead grey heron shows how difficult it is to stop the virus spread. Birds -- by their very nature -- fly where ever they want to. But whether they're native or just visiting, the birds are forcing Hong Kong to act.

DVD TRACK: [music] Hong Kong is a well-known culinary paradise and also one of the busiest transportation hubs in the world. Any epidemic outbreak would seriously impact this place.

ABBANY: Health experts are already saying that avian influenza is endemic in many bird populations in Southeast Asia. Bird flu affects wild and commercial birds, and there are almost regular cases of both birds and people dying from the H-5-N-1 strain in places like Indonesia and Vietnam. It's recognised as a world-wide problem, but on a national level, it's best handled by the individual country or region.

DVD TRACK at 3'52-4'02: [music] Chickens must be imported via the animal inspection station at Man Kam To portal, and are randomly sampled and tested for avian flue systems.

ABBANY: To help spread the word about bird flu, rather than the virus itself, Hong Kong's Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, or A-C-F-D, has produced this film you're hearing now. It explains that even imported poultry from the mainland is checked where the two territories meet. But the DVD's light-footed backing track rather belies the seriousness of the problem, or perhaps it's an appeal to calm. Dr Mary Chow is a senior veterinary officer with the A-C-F-D.

DR MARY CHOW (chow1): The biggest threat we believe is the chance of people getting contact with a huge amount of poultries. So it would be in retail or wholesale. For farms, if they are in certain remote area they not necessarily to have a lot of public contact to the farm so it's not considered to be that great in risk. That's why we want to reduce the total amount of poultry in Hong Kong so people get less contact with poultry in retail site.

ABBANY: To achieve that, Hong Kong is going to the source. It's been asking poultry farmers to close their farms voluntarily -- in return for a lump sum of cash. And so far it's proved successful -- partly because many farmers are approaching retirement, but also, says to Dr Chow, because the younger generations are moving to the city rather than going into farming themselves. It's a major cultural shift. Not only in terms of employment, but also in terms of the food people eat. And it's a shift that Dr Mary Chow says started after the first case of bird flu in Hong Kong in 1997.

DR MARY CHOW : I believe after 1997 people are adjusting themselves. On the one hand they want to maintain the cultural eating habit and on the other hand they are also aware of the risk, so they are switching to chilled products or frozen products. And in the young generation they may not be able to tell the difference between chilled products and fresh products. But there's always a group of people that can tell the difference and they are sustaining the existence of fresh poultry markets.

SFX: Bird garden ...

ABBANY: Protecting Hong Kong against bird flu is a daily process -- at farms and at the city's bird gardens. Like this one at Mong Kok. The bird garden is a meeting place, where people observe other peoples' pets, and where you can buy new ones, too. Matthew Cheung is a field officer, who does regular tests on the birds here.

MATTHEW CHEUNG: Maybe in old Hong Kong the birds are entertainment, so you can see elder people come here to see other to listen to bird sounds here.

ABBANY: But bird locations like this are almost routinely, temporally shut because of bird flu fears. The shop owners are compensated, but it's still bad for business.

BIRD GARDEN SHOP OWNER: [fade up sfx] We feel very sad when they close the bird garden because we can't do business. We lose money.

ABBANY: The Hong Kong's government is having to ensure both the public's health and its livelihood. And it will do it only if the public is on its side.

DVD TRACK: [music] Members of the public may report any sick birds showing symptoms of the disease or bird carcasses via the citizens' easy link 1-8-2-3. All imported pet birds should be quarantined and health checks in the exporting country before shipping. A valid animal health certificate must be presented at the time of entry into Hong Kong. After arrival, A-F-C-D officers will randomly.

Presenter - Zulfikar Abbany Speaker - Senior Veterinary officer with Hong Kong's Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Dr Mary Chow; Field officer, Matthew Cheung

http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/con...s/s2165394.htm