_|Hong Kong PRC SAR: H5N1 IN CHICKEN|_

[ironorehopper]

Hong Kong shuts down market after chicken tested H5N1 positive
2008-06-07 15:58:33 Print

HONG KONG, June 7 (Xinhua) --

Hong Kong health authorities closed down a poultry market here Saturday after egesta samples collected from hencoops in the marketplace were infected with the deadly strain of H5N1 avian influenza virus.

Dr. York Chow, Secretary for Food and Health, announced at a press conference here Saturday afternoon that the Po On Road Market in Kowloon an infected area of the H5N1 virus and ordered the immediate suspension of trading in the market.

He said the Department of Food and Health had began slaughtering about 2,700 chickens in the market and all live poultry imports from the Chinese mainland were suspended.


Editor: Du Guodong
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[Treyfish]

Hong Kong Detects H5N1 Virus, Closes Poultry Market (Update2)

By Hanny Wan
June 7 (Bloomberg) -- Hong Kong detected the H5N1 bird flu virus in a live poultry market in Kowloon, and stopped importing poultry from mainland China, the city's top health official said.
The H5N1 avian influenza virus was found in five of 20 samples taken from three stalls at Po On Road Market, York Chow, Secretary for Food and Health, said at a media briefing in Hong Kong, broadcasted by Cable TV. The samples were taken on June 3, he said.
The city ordered the culling of 2,700 chickens in all nine stalls at the market, Chow said. The chickens may have come from local poultry farms or outside Hong Kong, he said, adding that the city's government is trying to track down their origin.
``If more H5N1 cases are detected, we will probably need to cull all chickens in all markets in Hong Kong,'' Chow said. The city's Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has stepped up checks at 64 local markets that sell poultry, he said.
Hong Kong, with immediate effect, banned poultry imports from mainland China, and will suspend exports from local farms for as long as 21 days, Chow said.
Concerns of a worldwide outbreak of lethal influenza have risen as the H5N1 virus spread from Asia to Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The deadly strain may spark a global outbreak if it mutates to become as infectious to humans as seasonal flu.

Last Updated: June 7, 2008 04:35 EDT http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...fer=healthcare

[ironorehopper]

Hong Kong finds H5N1 bird flu in poultry market
07 Jun 2008 09:26:51 GMT
Source: Reuters
By Jeffrey Hodgson

HONG KONG, June 7 (Reuters) -

Hong Kong has found the feared H5N1 bird flu virus at a poultry stall in one of the territory's many markets and ordered the culling of 2,700 birds, a government spokeswoman said on Saturday.

The official said Hong Kong had banned poultry imports from mainland China for 21 days, as well as from local farms in the territory, while it worked to discover the source of the infection.

She added there had been no human infection detected.

The virus was discovered in the Po On Road market in the city's Sham Shui Po neighbourhood.

It is not the first appearance of the disease in the territory, with infected wild birds discovered in 2007.

Since the virus resurfaced in Asia in late 2003, it has killed 241 people in a dozen countries, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Although most people who have caught bird flu have had direct or indirect contact with infected fowl, experts fear the constantly mutating H5N1 virus could change into a form easily transmitted from person to person. This could sweep the world, killing millions.

(Reporting by Jeffrey Hodgson; Editing by Alex Richardson)
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[Commonground]

[Asymptomatic chicken?]

HK culls 2,700 poultry after bird flu outbreak: report
Excerpt:

Routine bird flu checks detected the H5N1 virus in five samples of chicken waste. The samples were collected June 3 from three vendors in the market in the Sham Shui Po residential district, Chow said.

http://www.straitstimes.com/Latest%2...ry_245388.html

[Shiloh]

Source: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i...c-HQwD9156G000

Bird flu detected in Hong Kong market

By DIKKY SINN – 22 minutes ago

HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong health workers slaughtered 2,700 poultry in a market Saturday after chickens were found to be carrying the dangerous H5N1 bird flu virus, officials said.

The slaughter may be extended to all live poultry in the territory if the virus is detected in any other locations, Secretary for Food and Health York Chow said.

"Since we have detected the virus in the market, we will cull all the chickens in this market," Chow told reporters. "If we find another positive detection in another market, then we will assume that the risk is much higher and we need to cull all the chickens in all the markets."

Hong Kong TV Cable showed health workers wearing protective gear placing live poultry from nine stalls into bags to prepare for the slaughter.

Routine bird flu checks detected the H5N1 virus in five samples of chicken waste. The samples were collected June 3 from three vendors in the market in the Sham Shui Po residential district, Chow said.

Health officials declared the market an infected area and suspended all sales of live poultry there, a government statement said.

Chow said authorities were tracing the origin of the infected chickens.

Chow also ordered a 21-day ban on the supply of live poultry from mainland China and from local farms.

Occasional H5N1 infections in wild birds are common in Hong Kong but the territory has not suffered a major outbreak of the disease since the virus killed six people in 1997.

That prompted the government to slaughter the territory's entire poultry population of about 1.5 million birds.

At least 241 people have died of bird flu worldwide since 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 that might kill millions of people.

[Shiloh]

Source: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/20...nt_8325254.htm

Hong Kong shuts down market after chicken tested H5N1 positive
www.chinaview.cn 2008-06-07 15:58:33

HONG KONG, June 7 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong health authorities closed down a poultry market here Saturday after excrement samples collected from hencoops at the marketplace were confirmed infected with the deadly strain of H5N1 avian influenza virus.

Dr. York Chow, Secretary for Food and Health, announced at a press conference here Saturday afternoon that the Po On Road Market in Kowloon an infected area of the H5N1 virus and ordered the immediate suspension of trading in the market.

Chow said after days of laboratory testings, five of the 20 excrement samples collected from three poultry stores on June 3 were confirmed H5N1 positive and an order was issued immediately to cull about 2,700 chickens in the market.

"We are still investigating the source of the H5N1 virus infections," he said, adding other 64 poultry markets had reported no H5N1 cases.

Chow said there has been no report of human case of H5N1 infections but the department had decided to raise the response level from "vigilance" to "serious" in the city.

In response to the latest H5N1 virus find, Chow said, the Food and Health Department had suspended immediately the live poultry imports from the Chinese mainland and trading from local chicken farms will be suspended immediately

He said such suspension will last for as long as 21 days if necessary.

Chow said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government had noticed the Ministry of Agriculture and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine on the latest development of bird flu in Hong Kong.

Chow said there had been no unusual incidents reported in the registered chicken farm in the Chinese mainland and none abnormal death of poultry had been reported by store owners during the past days.

Thomas Tsang, Controller of the Center for Health Protection, said the center would conduct health checkups and prescribe anti- virus medicine for those people in close contact with live poultry.

Tsang also called on doctors in the city to quickly report suspected cases of H5N1 infection to the center once they diagnose those patients with a fever.

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said they would strengthen the testing of live poultry on the bird flu virus and disinfecting of poultry whole sale markets.

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.news.gov.hk/en/category/h...607en05003.htm
June 7, 2008
Health
*
Bird flu virus found in market stalls

Po On Road Market has been declared an infected area after the H5N1 bird flu virus was found in five chicken dropping samples collected from three stalls.

Secretary for Food & Health Dr York Chow today told reporters the affected stalls got the chickens from the Cheung Sha Wan Temporary Wholesale Poultry Market. The birds may have come from local or Mainland farms.

Imports of live Mainland chicken will be suspended while local farms will stop selling chickens for three weeks to facilitate the Government's work in tracing the source of the infected chickens.

Precaution measures

The Food & Environmental Hygiene Department has cordoned off all the chicken stalls in the market and started culling the 2,700 chickens in it. Disinfection work will also be conducted.

The department has stepped up inspection of 64 markets with chicken stalls and no abnormality has been detected. More chicken dropping samples will be collected for tests.

The department will send staff to the Mainland to inspect registered farms supplying chicken to Hong Kong while more samples will be collected from local wholesale markets for tests.

The Cheung Sha Wan Temporary Wholesale Poultry Market will be thoroughly cleaned while the next poultry outlet rest day will be advanced from next Wednesday to Monday.

The Government will also step up checks on chilled poultry products and will enhance its inspection of retail markets and local poultry farms. The Customs & Excise Department will bolster its enforcement work against poultry smuggling.

Mainland authorities informed

Dr Chow said the incident has been reported to Mainland authorities and quarantine units have been asked to pay special attention to the registered farms supplying poultry to Hong Kong.

Although no human avian flu cases have been reported so far, the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority will enhance prevention work.

The health of staff at the three affected stalls will be closely monitored. Public and private hospitals and clinics have been reminded to report suspicious cases to the Centre for Health Protection.

People with flu symptoms should seek medical advice immediately and a hotline (2125 1122) has been set up to handle enquiries.

People should avoid touching live poultry. They should wash their hands after touching the animals. Chickens should be thoroughly cooked before eating.

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2...nt_6745109.htm

Chicken tested H5N1 positive in HK
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-06-07 21:32

HONG KONG - Hong Kong health authorities closed down a poultry market here Saturday after excrement samples collected from hencoops at the marketplace were confirmed infected with the deadly strain of H5N1 avian influenza virus.

Dr. York Chow, Secretary for Food and Health, announced at a press conference here Saturday afternoon that the Po On Road Market in Kowloon an infected area of the H5N1 virus and ordered the immediate suspension of trading in the market.

Chow said after days of laboratory testings, five of the 20 excrement samples collected from three poultry stores on June 3 were confirmed H5N1 positive and an order was issued immediately to cull about 2,700 chickens in the market.

"We are still investigating on the source of the H5N1 virus infections," he said, adding other 64 poultry markets had reported no H5N1 cases.

Chow said there has been no report of human case of H5N1 infections but the department had decided to raise the response level from "vigilance" to "serious" in the city.

In response to the latest H5N1 virus find, Chow said, the Food and Health Department had suspended immediately the live poultry imports from the Chinese mainland and trading from local chicken farms will be suspended immediately

He said such suspension will last for as long as 21 days if necessary.

Chow said the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government had noticed the Ministry of Agriculture and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine on the latest development of bird flu in Hong Kong.

Chow said there had been no unusual incidents reported in the registered chicken farm in the Chinese mainland and none abnormal death of poultry had been reported by store owners during the past days.

Thomas Tsang, Controller of the Center for Health Protection, said the center would conduct health checkups and prescribe anti- virus medicine for those people in close contact with live poultry.

Tsang also called on doctors in the city to quickly report suspected cases of H5N1 infection to the center once they diagnose those patients with a fever.

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said they would strengthen the testing of live poultry on the bird flu virus and disinfecting of poultry whole sale markets.

[ironorehopper]

SFH on avian influenza detected in Po On Road Market
Juje 7 2008, 14.18.30

Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, at a stand-up media session at Murray Building today (June 7):

Reporter:
Whether there will be a further culling of chickens?

Dr York Chow:
At this moment, since we have detected the virus in one market, we will cull all the chickens in this market, which has altogether nine stalls.

Although we have discovered the virus from three stalls, we will cull all the chickens in these nine stalls, which amounts to 2 700.

The most important thing is to trace where they came from if we can.

We have traced it to the wholesale market and the relevant stalls in the wholesale market, and perhaps also to the relevant farms.

This is the work that we are doing right now.

The second thing is we want to make sure that the public will not be affected, or if they are really affected by the avian influenza they would be detected and treated early.

And that is the reason why the Centre for Health Protection has heightened their alert and appealed to the public to approach them if they have any symptoms of influenza after contacted with chickens.

As I have explain earlier, our existing guideline is if there is one detection of H5N1 in one market, we will cull the chickens in that market; but if we found another possible detection in another market, we assume the risk is much higher and we need to cull all the chickens in all the markets.

Reporter:
Is there a breakdown in the surveillance? And you've vaccinated all the chickens in the market and why now you've found virus in the market?

Dr York Chow:
You are talking about two things.

Actually we are very grateful that we have such a strong surveillance that enables us to detect the virus in the market this time.

You are talking about whether the biosecurity and the vaccination policy of our poultry are functioning, and that is exactly what the concern is all about.

We cannot tell until we have done all the investigation and check where these chickens came from, and whether these farms have complied with all our requirements on vaccination and biosecurity measures.

So, we really have to trace to the source of this virus before we can tell whether there is any change in the virus.

Reporter:
How long will it take?

Dr York Chow:
We are doing everything in full speed right now.

We'll be also analyzing the genetic make up of virus to see if there are any changes.

Reporter:
Is it safe to eat chickens right now?

Dr York Chow:
As far as chicken is concerned, we still allow chilled chickens to come into Hong Kong.

The risk, according to experts, is related to any chicken which is sick.

Whatever way you handle chicken, you should observe personal hygiene first, wash your hands after contacted with chickens, and cook the chicken thoroughly before you eat.

I'll ask Dr Thomas Tsang to speak more on this.

Dr Thomas Tsang:
Chilled chicken, because the virus cannot replicate in these chilled chickens, so it's relatively safe.

As always, our health advice is: cook all meat, especially raw meat, thoroughly before you eat because the virus cannot stand high temperature.

Right now we are targeting our surveillance at the affected market, particularly those stalls we've found virus.

So if anybody has bought chicken in that market and they feel uncertain of what to do, they can call our hotline at 2125 1122, we'll have medical personnel to address this specific concern.

Reporter: Will you advise vaccination for seasonal flu at this point? Dr Thomas Tsang: It's actually two different things. The seasonal flu vaccine does not protect against avian influenza, so we are not talking about vaccination against avian flu. The most important thing to prevent avian flu is to observe good personal hygiene, wash your hands frequently and avoid touching live poultry as much as possible. Reporter: Would this incident make it more desirable to go for central slaughtering? Dr York Chow: We are always saying that the segregation of human and live poultry is important to prevent avian flu. So, whatever has happened this is something we have planned ahead and is progressing right now. At the moment, the plan is for 2011-2012. This is the fastest we can do according to the existing way of planning, building and also tendering. Reporter: Why genetic sequencing is important? Dr York Chow: Genetic sequencing is important of course to see whether the virus has transformed into any new type of virus which has different pathogenesis. This is the sort of routine tests that we will do if we found any possible virus in the environment. Reporter: (on increase chicken imports during festive periods) With hindsight, is this a good decision? Dr York Chow: We did that every year for four seasonal periods, including the Tuen Ng Festival. This year's increased number is no different from previous years. I think we have to investigate into the whole incident, particularly the source of the chickens, before we make any decision for the next time. We also concern about the whole biosecurity and vaccination programmes as a whole. So, we are not ruling out any increase at the moment. Reporter: The biosecurity and vaccination programmes at present, in English please? Dr Thomas Sit: Biosecurity measures and vaccination are both important keys to prevent avian influenza. Biosecurity measures aimed to prevent the introduction of virus or viruses from any wild birds or birds with unknown sources (to poultry). Vaccination is an important step in case the bird encounters viruses and he can be protected. Also, chicken is reared in flock. If all the chickens have public immunity, it can help to prevent the virus from spreading to other chickens. To this, biosecurity measures and vaccination are important. (Please also refer to the Chinese session of the transcript.)
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[Commonground]

This was a routine check. The chickens did not display any symptoms. They found the virus in their stools. Notice below it does not say "appealed to public to approach if any symptoms after contacted with "chickens that died suddenly" or "chickens that appeared ill".

And that is the reason why the Centre for Health Protection has heightened their alert and appealed to the public to approach them if they have any symptoms of influenza after contacted with chickens.

You are talking about whether the biosecurity and the vaccination policy of our poultry are functioning, and that is exactly what the concern is all about.

We are doing everything in full speed right now.

We'll be also analyzing the genetic make up of virus to see if there are any changes.

[Commonground]

"Routine bird flu checks" were mentioned in posts #4 and 5.

[ironorehopper]

Originally Posted by ironorehopper

SFH on avian influenza detected in Po On Road Market
Juje 7 2008, 14.18.30

Following is the transcript of remarks made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, at a stand-up media session at Murray Building today (June 7):

Reporter:
Whether there will be a further culling of chickens?

Dr York Chow:
At this moment, since we have detected the virus in one market, we will cull all the chickens in this market, which has altogether nine stalls.

Although we have discovered the virus from three stalls, we will cull all the chickens in these nine stalls, which amounts to 2 700.

The most important thing is to trace where they came from if we can.

We have traced it to the wholesale market and the relevant stalls in the wholesale market, and perhaps also to the relevant farms.

This is the work that we are doing right now.

The second thing is we want to make sure that the public will not be affected, or if they are really affected by the avian influenza they would be detected and treated early.

And that is the reason why the Centre for Health Protection has heightened their alert and appealed to the public to approach them if they have any symptoms of influenza after contacted with chickens.

As I have explain earlier, our existing guideline is if there is one detection of H5N1 in one market, we will cull the chickens in that market; but if we found another possible detection in another market, we assume the risk is much higher and we need to cull all the chickens in all the markets.

Reporter:
Is there a breakdown in the surveillance? And you've vaccinated all the chickens in the market and why now you've found virus in the market?

Dr York Chow:
You are talking about two things.

Actually we are very grateful that we have such a strong surveillance that enables us to detect the virus in the market this time.

You are talking about whether the biosecurity and the vaccination policy of our poultry are functioning, and that is exactly what the concern is all about.

We cannot tell until we have done all the investigation and check where these chickens came from, and whether these farms have complied with all our requirements on vaccination and biosecurity measures.

So, we really have to trace to the source of this virus before we can tell whether there is any change in the virus.

Reporter:
How long will it take?

Dr York Chow:
We are doing everything in full speed right now.

We'll be also analyzing the genetic make up of virus to see if there are any changes.

Reporter:
Is it safe to eat chickens right now?

Dr York Chow:
As far as chicken is concerned, we still allow chilled chickens to come into Hong Kong.

The risk, according to experts, is related to any chicken which is sick.

Whatever way you handle chicken, you should observe personal hygiene first, wash your hands after contacted with chickens, and cook the chicken thoroughly before you eat.

I'll ask Dr Thomas Tsang to speak more on this.

Dr Thomas Tsang:
Chilled chicken, because the virus cannot replicate in these chilled chickens, so it's relatively safe.

As always, our health advice is: cook all meat, especially raw meat, thoroughly before you eat because the virus cannot stand high temperature.

Right now we are targeting our surveillance at the affected market, particularly those stalls we've found virus.

So if anybody has bought chicken in that market and they feel uncertain of what to do, they can call our hotline at 2125 1122, we'll have medical personnel to address this specific concern.

Reporter:
Will you advise vaccination for seasonal flu at this point?

Dr Thomas Tsang:
It's actually two different things.

The seasonal flu vaccine does not protect against avian influenza, so we are not talking about vaccination against avian flu.

The most important thing to prevent avian flu is to observe good personal hygiene, wash your hands frequently and avoid touching live poultry as much as possible.

Reporter:
Would this incident make it more desirable to go for central slaughtering?

Dr York Chow:
We are always saying that the segregation of human and live poultry is important to prevent avian flu.

So, whatever has happened this is something we have planned ahead and is progressing right now.

At the moment, the plan is for 2011-2012.

This is the fastest we can do according to the existing way of planning, building and also tendering.

Reporter:
Why genetic sequencing is important?

Dr York Chow:
Genetic sequencing is important of course to see whether the virus has transformed into any new type of virus which has different pathogenesis.

This is the sort of routine tests that we will do if we found any possible virus in the environment.

Reporter:
(on increase chicken imports during festive periods) With hindsight, is this a good decision?

Dr York Chow:
We did that every year for four seasonal periods, including the Tuen Ng Festival.

This year's increased number is no different from previous years.

I think we have to investigate into the whole incident, particularly the source of the chickens, before we make any decision for the next time.

We also concern about the whole biosecurity and vaccination programmes as a whole. So, we are not ruling out any increase at the moment.

Reporter:
The biosecurity and vaccination programmes at present, in English please?

Dr Thomas Sit:
Biosecurity measures and vaccination are both important keys to prevent avian influenza.

Biosecurity measures aimed to prevent the introduction of virus or viruses from any wild birds or birds with unknown sources (to poultry).

Vaccination is an important step in case the bird encounters viruses and he can be protected.

Also, chicken is reared in flock.

If all the chickens have public immunity, it can help to prevent the virus from spreading to other chickens.

To this, biosecurity measures and vaccination are important. (Please also refer to the Chinese session of the transcript.)
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Completed formatting texts

[ironorehopper]

Samples in Po On Road Market tested positive of H5N1
June 7 2008, 16.35.10

The Secretary for Food and Health, Dr York Chow, today (June 7) announced that five out of the 20 samples taken from cages of three poultry stalls in Po On Road Market in Sham Shui Po were tested positive of H5N1 avian influenza during the surveillance of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.

There are nine poultry stalls in the Po On Road Market.

So far, no problem has been found in the other stalls of the market.

The live chickens of the three concerned poultry stalls were reportedly come from five wholesalers in the Cheung Sha Wan Temporary Wholesale Poultry Market.

The Government is tracing the source of the chickens to see whether they are from local or Mainland farms.

In view of the H5N1 avian influenza virus found in local market, the Government has raised the original alert response level to serious response level.

Dr Chow convened an inter-departmental meeting this morning to work out measures to address the issue.

The concerned departments included the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), the Department of Health (DH) and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD).

The meeting had decided to adopt eight measures to protect public health.

These eight measures are:
(1) FEHD staff had to cordon off all poultry stalls in Po On Road Market this morning and prohibited the moving out of poultry. More samples had been taken for testing of H5N1 virus. The department had culled and destroyed about 2700 poultry from all the poultry stalls in Po On Road Market in the afternoon.

(2) In the morning, FEHD inspected 64 markets which have live poultry for sale and no abnormality was found. The staff of the department will take more samples for testing from these markets. If problems were detected in the coming one or two days, the Government would step up actions. More samples would also be taken at the wholesale market. AFCD would continue to trace the source of the chickens in question in the Cheung Sha Wan Temporary Wholesale Poultry Market and strengthen cleansing in the market.

(3) Live chicken imports from the Mainland would be suspended temporarily with immediate effect. At the same time, local farms would stop dispatching chickens to the market. The suspension would be effective for as long as 21 days to facilitate the tracing of chickens and thorough disinfection. During the period of live chicken import suspension, FEHD would field staff to inspect Mainland registered live poultry farms for supply to Hong Kong.

(4) FEHD has enhanced surveillance of poultry retail markets. The market rest day would be advanced to next Monday (June 9). Meanwhile, FEHD would also strengthen checking and testing of chilled poultry imported from the Mainland. AFCD has stepped up inspection on local farms and wholesale market. Thorough cleansing would be conducted at the Cheung Sha Wan Temporary Wholesale Poultry Market next Monday.

(5) The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has notified the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine and the Ministry of Agriculture of the case. They have been requested to demand the relevant inspection and quarantine bureaux to stay alert and take all necessary precautions to prevent avian influenza in registered live poultry farms for supply to Hong Kong.

(6) At the moment, there is no human case of avian influenza infection in Hong Kong. In view of the situation in Po On Road Market, it would be necessary to enhance testing of human infection of avian influenza. DH and the Hospital Authority would enhance the work on this front. Particular attention would be paid to the health condition of poultry workers in the affected market. The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) has called on members of the public to seek medical treatment immediately if they have influenza symptoms such as high fever. Public and private hospitals as well as clinics should report to CHP immediately when there is any suspected case of avian influenza. In addition, CHP has set up a hotline 2125 1122 to answer public enquiries and monitor public health condition.

(7) The Government calls on members of the public to avoid contacting live chickens. After contacting live chickens, they should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water. Live chickens should also be thoroughly cooked before eating.

(8) The Customs and Excise Department would further step up efforts in cracking down on illegal import of poultry and birds. Dr Chow noted that the established surveillance enabled the Government to detect the occurrence of avian influenza virus in market so that swift actions could be taken to prevent the spread of the virus.

"If another case of avian influenza is found in other retail market in Hong Kong, the Government will cull all the chickens in the retail level," he said. Dr Chow reminded members of the public to pay extra attention to personal and environmental hygiene in guarding against avian influenza.
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[rymich13]

I knew one of these days that it would make it back to Hong Kong, after all it is where it all started back in 1997.

[Commonground]

[This article states there were "dead" chickens]

Hong Kong markets found that the H5N1 avian flu virus

June 7 - the Hong Kong Government today confirmed in the local market found that the H5N1 avian influenza virus cases, with immediate effect suspended imports of chickens in the Chinese mainland, local farms also suspended poultry exports to trace the source of bird flu.

The BBC reported that Hong Kong Secretary for Health and Food York Chow on Saturday (June 7) afternoon confirmed that the security authorities in Sham Shui Po, Kowloon Road Market routine sampling and found three of the five chicken stalls with poultry faeces samples H5N1 virus, and the remaining six chickens and chicken stalls found no problems.
Dr Chow said that according to three chicken stall owners said that chickens from the Cheung Sha Wan Temporary Wholesale Poultry Market, may come from the mainland or local farms, the authorities are locating the source of live chickens.

At the same time, Dr Chow said Hong Kong from China immediately suspended imports of live poultry in local farms also temporarily ban exports of live poultry. These two measures will continue the implementation of 21 days.

Hong Kong health and quarantine departments will in all poultry farms and markets carry out inspections. Dr Chow said that if found live birds infected with H5N1 virus, will be considered in the culling of all poultry.

Chickens found infected with the virus, the security markets will also be at the 2,700 chickens culled.

Dr Chow said the Hong Kong Government to the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture has informed the incident and links with the mainland relevant departments to follow up.

Testing found

Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department first issued on Saturday afternoon reported that the security markets, has been declared as infected areas, all live poultry must immediately stop the sale. The authorities posted notices at the scene indicated that markets were declared as "the bird flu virus infection place."

Live poultry traders said that the officers had arrived at the scene the morning sampling of live chickens and subsequently to all vendors that have sample questions for the suspension. Also admitted that the recent market traders found more dead chickens.

Responsible for the management of the markets of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department in the sale of chickens, ducks and other poultry in the region pulling up the warning line, and wearing protective clothing of staff stationed, ready to cull all poultry in the destruction of the market.

Since Sunday (8) is the Tuen Ng Festival, some business and more into the goods, culling their chickens will lead to the loss of tens of thousands of Hong Kong dollar.

1997, Hong Kong has the world's first confirmed human infection cases of bird flu, the 2001 outbreak of a large-scale outbreak of bird flu. The Government then announced the culling of all poultry, and later also banned backyard poultry keeping people at home.

Human and poultry infection with the H5N1 avian flu cases and outbreaks in various parts of China and then in Asia, Europe and other places appeared one after another.

In addition, since Indonesia last month on the 14th an 15-year-old girl died of bird flu to become the first 109 people, the Indonesian Ministry of Health that, in order to improve the bird flu being the most heavy blow to the image, decided not to publish the news of avian flu . In the 33 provinces in Indonesia, there are 31 provinces bird flu.

According to WHO data, as at the end of May this year, around the world, including China, from a total of 348 confirmed human infections of H5N1 avian flu cases, of which 242 people died. @ (Http://www.dajiyuan.com)

http://64.233.179.104/translate_c?hl...n%26tl%3Dzh-TW

[ironorehopper]

Originally Posted by rymich13

I knew one of these days that it would make it back to Hong Kong, after all it is where it all started back in 1997.

During current year several wild birds were discovered dead or positive for bird flu H5N1 virus. It is a predictable event, for this reason HK SAR has in place a surveillance system working all the year, with inspection, sampling, ''rest days'' with deep cleansing activities and more other.

One could only hope that this system is able to avoid a disaster like that in 1997.

[Commonground]

http://www.chp.gov.hk/index.asp?lang=en




Serious Response Level
4. Serious Response Level depicts two possible scenarios. The first
scenario depicts confirmation of HPAI outbreaks in the environment of or
among poultry population in retail markets, wholesale markets or farms in
Hong Kong due to a strain with known human health impact. Upon the
advice of DAFC or Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene, SFH will
activate this Response Level.
5. The second scenario depicts the confirmation of human case(s) of
avian influenza in Hong Kong without evidence of efficient human-tohuman
transmission. Upon the advice of DoH, SFH will activate this
Response Level.

http://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/flu_...n_20050222.pdf

[Commonground]

Chinese University of Hong Kong Department of Microbiology, Professor Chen Jixiang (AP)
Hong Kong markets higher risk of human transmission of avian flu
[大纪元June 8 - (Associated Press reported Linyi Hong Kong) Hong Kong Government on June 7 in a market that confirmed H5N1 bird flu virus case, immediately ban the mainland live chickens to Hong Kong three weeks to trace bird Sense of the source. Microbiology experts have said that the incident reflected the avian flu virus increase the risk of human transmission.

Government security, Cheung Sha Wan Road Market 3 chicken vendors in the faecal samples of chickens found the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus immediately after the destruction of the market within nine chicken stalls in a total of 2,700 live chickens, and announced that since the June 9 ban for mainland live chickens in Hong Kong on the 21st, while contingency measures will be upgraded to serious by the alert level. This is Hong Kong since 2002, once again post-mortem samples from the market to the H5N1 avian flu virus.
Chinese University of Hong Kong Department of Microbiology, said Professor Chen Jixiang, the markets found that the avian flu virus is a very strong warning, reflecting the avian flu virus increase the risk of human transmission, "because in chickens in the markets are very dense, so if a virus, usually There will be many chickens will be infected, the virus will be the number of many. There are many other markets and the public will have close contact with birds, chickens infected, pass the relatively high, relatively we fly Bird, chicken bar or find a chicken farm, that a more recent threat to the public. "

Chen Jixiang and pointed out that the chickens have not developed symptoms appear, such as the hidden infection, difficult to find, more threatening.

Chen Jixiang, said: "After the vaccination of chickens will be protected, but there is a situation that is, the chickens were infected, it no symptoms, but also very vigorous, but it is likely that the special stool in the row will have a virus, the virus Will pass near the chickens. Therefore, such as the hidden infection is relatively refractory, because the hidden infection more difficult to be found, hidden in people infected with the more threatening, but also the relatively Refractory . "

He also pointed out that: "If this is a hidden infection of chickens with the virus that may be but no one knows, although the virus to chickens did not pose a problem, but if the viruses to people, we must as a very serious Disease, because now H5N1 spread to humans at high risk of. "

Chen Jixiang do not think that the current vaccine in chickens on the failure, but the effect of a vaccine, there are some complicated factors: "If you do not fight because of the vaccine, if there are varieties of H5N1 in chickens, the chickens will be in The outbreak caused great, great time of the outbreak, the virus is usually the number will be many, many infected with the virus the opportunity to major. Vaccines to fight the outbreak of the reduction, but do not know which chickens on the virus, because it no symptoms Therefore, they are very complex issue. "

Chen Jixiang said that this incident once again proves that central slaughtering is to prevent the outbreak of avian flu and the fundamental approach.



Legislative Council Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene Committee Vice-Chairman Mr Fred LI (AP)

Legislative Council Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene Committee Vice-Chairman Mr Fred LI ask the Government to conduct a thorough investigation into the origin and review the current quarantine measures.

He pointed out: "so many areas to ensure the slack, or as others have said the smuggling of chicken?« If the smuggling of chicken, and we registered farms and those of our quarantine has nothing to do. Certainly bring another smuggling of chicken Problems, why have so many chickens smuggled in, or even sold to the city centre of the markets, if it is so large, it is quite worrying. "

Fred LI said that in six月10日(Tuesday) Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene Panel meeting, raised the question.

The Secretary for Health and Food York Chow said on the 7th, the Government is testing all 64 stool samples of live chickens in markets, if more than one market avian flu virus, will immediately destroy the live chicken markets in Hong Kong.

6/8/2008 9:49:59 PM

This article URL: http://www.epochtimes.com/gb/8/6/8/n2147263.htm

[Commonground]

Excerpt:

AFCD this month on the 3rd security Road Market in the cages from 20 swab samples and found that five samples containing the H5N1 avian influenza virus, but only yesterday announced the results. AFCD Assistant Director of Xue Han explained, H5N1 virus in general to 2-3 by nurturing talent, and then the serum test, was not announced that any delay.

Step 3 Sham found H5N1 chicken stalls
The "trouble" of the security Road Market, 9 stall chicken stalls in the three files found that the H5N1 virus, the stall owners did not notice before AFCD had appeared dead chickens. However, the neighbouring "no problem chicken" for the chicken stalls Miss Lai said, in the past 1-2 weeks have been dead for three live chickens, more than ever before. FEHD Zuozao the chicken stalls in the market stalls blockade 9, 14:30, the staff wearing protective clothing markets, the destruction of 2,700 poultry.
At the same time, the department Zuozao inspection of all 64 live chickens are sold in markets, No unusual circumstances and in all markets to take more faecal samples for testing, the department will inspect the future market of fresh provision shops.

Other markets yet to see abnormal
AFCD, the Department of Health and FEHD Zuozao inter-departmental meeting held to discuss measures announced by the Hong Kong yesterday, the suspension of live chickens from the Mainland and the local live chicken supply for up to 21 days; Market Day two days earlier, tomorrow; Center for Health Protection has set up a telephone hotline for public enquiries, and so on.
Dr Chow does not deny that there are problems chickens believed to have sold considerable quantities, but yet to find cases of human infection of bird flu, in his view the public as long as the chicken thoroughly cooked, the risk will not be great. Mainland authorities have been informed immediately to the epidemic, Hong Kong has been the strain of avian flu alert level raised to the level of serious strain. He stressed that as long as more than a re-confirmed bird flu case, we will slaughter of chickens in Hong Kong. Information, on a territory-wide slaughter of chickens is 02.

As for the avian chickens come from, Dr Chow said, could not identify the source, which may involve local or mainland farms, does not rule out the smuggling of chickens, but said, the problem is only chickens from the Cheung Sha Wan Temporary Wholesale Poultry Market in five Wholesalers, the authorities are tracing the source, but has no intention of Cheung Sha Wan market closed.

30 chicken traders physical slaughter of chickens
Director of the Center for Health Protection Thomas Tsang said from the scene three chicken stalls about 10 poultry workers in the next 10 days will take anti-bird flu drug "Tamiflu", will be conducted during the tight medical supervision, a personal And to monitor their physical examination. He appealed to the public, if it has a fever and flu symptoms should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Supply of imported live chickens from the Mainland this month on the 3rd to the 6th-day four days, to relax the supply of 120,000 to meet the needs of Tuen Ng Festival. Hong Kong Poultry Wholesalers and Retailers Association Vice Chairman Huang Weiquan, to yesterday, there are still 100,000 retail outlets stock of live chickens, but I think today will be all sold out within, the public only after the edible chilled chickens.

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[Commonground]

The outbreak of chicken three kilometers markets sell explosive epidemic control as the implementation of this clean, did not kill 70,000 chickens June 9, 2008
Excerpt:

[Ming Pao Daily News - The government has not yet been identified  Sham Shui Po On Road Market is a local chicken farms, bird, the import or smuggling of chicken, but only ordered the "infected areas" chicken stalls in the market nine Maiji suspended 21 days, Chicken stalls in the vicinity yesterday will continue to bulk cargo, even bare hands catching chicken customers a high-risk scenes. Administration will start this afternoon chicken stalls in the Rest Day "by knife slaughter of chickens", Hong Kong markets will sell the surplus of about 70,000 chickens culled, but the wholesale markets selling live chickens left in 4000, can still be continued tomorrow subscription.

The government earlier announced a bird flu epidemic explosion "of regional control policies", sets out three km radius of the outbreak within the scope of "prohibited area" to the chicken is prohibited 90 days, but the authorities deal with the security Road in downtown chicken stalls in the epidemic, Only the "prohibited area" to narrow the scope of security Road Market, within a radius of three kilometers of the Tsz Wan Shan, Sham , Kowloon City and Yau Tsim Mong area, or even from the very recent outbreak of the Cheung Sha Wan Temporary Wholesale Poultry Market, the same as yesterday Maiji be business as usual, falls far short of epidemic prevention standards.

Senior officials: Guangdong farms used only for control of the epidemic explosion

AFCD Assistant Director of Veterinary Xuehan for this paper explained that the regional control policies apply only to temporary farm explosive epidemic in Guangdong Province, the local chicken stalls have been vaccinated chickens in bird flu vaccine and bio-security and a constant Regular sampling virus and antibodies to monitor, relatively low risk, I believe that these measures can reduce risk. He said that the security found in three chicken stalls, markets have chicken with avian flu, chicken stalls have not found abnormal chicken deaths or symptoms.


HKU Department of Microbiology, Yuen Kwok-yung, the scope of the outbreak area, the ideal is immediately suspended the sale of live chickens, but the bird incident should not "systemic crash," most likely is the problem of smuggling of chicken, measuring risk , To allow the sale of chicken traders on the 1st yesterday and more chicken, the chicken slaughter rest today a comprehensive Clean, "is not too much," but he reiterated that the authorities must quickly implement central slaughtering chickens policy, can not be further delayed.

Lo Wing-lok: Maiji continue to ignore the risk

Communicable diseases Dr Lo Wing-lok criticized, is still unknown whether the chicken stalls in other markets without security epidemic, but to continue Maiji allow them, is extremely unreasonable and ignoring the risk of bird, more ironic is that the outbreak of chickens from the chicken stalls Cheung Sha Wan Wholesale Market, but the market yesterday continued scattered chickens and sell leftover chicken can be added on sale tomorrow, it is very dangerous.

http://translate.google.com/translat...es&tl=en&tl=en

[Commonground]

Mong Kok stall owners: Napster ended March with 410,000 people smuggling selling chicken feet sources said cheap imports 20%
June 9, 2008

[Ming Pao - the avian flu reach our markets, many academics and the industry are attributed to the "smuggling of chicken", this reporter was then made to a number of market poultry stalls for traders in the markets in Mong Kok, the chicken stall operators Ms Chan admitted that criminals have repeatedly been lobbying purchased smuggling chickens, they told her that adequate supply of imported chickens in general bid was 20% cheaper, but each time refused to Ms Chan Hon.

She described the people who sell "official Tsai bone," they claimed that smuggling of chicken "to how many how many," but of unknown origin. She stressed that their own from the Cheung Sha Wan Temporary Wholesale Poultry wholesalers purchased the chickens, including Quang Nam Bank and Watson, will not buy chicken smuggling, the table "clean hands", she said could provide more documentation to allow journalists Reference.

Shekou pay the smuggling of chicken wholesalers

Reporter also on the smuggling of chicken for chicken traders to the other, they all insisted that he had not bought smuggled chickens, has not approached by people, but ask them to the source of chickens, some people have to prevaricate right, only that it would Many of the goods from wholesalers; chicken stalls in Kowloon City two of the stall owners even refused to answer, a request directly to wholesalers enquiries.

Some industry sources, a few months ago, chicken smuggling is a serious problem. He said that two months ago, customs and the department in Tuen Mun and Yuen Long area containing the intercepted 12 containers of chicken smuggling. He believes that the smuggling of chicken with the market price of chicken as legitimate, it difficult to distinguish between the public, but the profit is three times the legal chicken. General lawless elements from Shekou of Shenzhen into the chicken, then chicken to wholesalers, retailers may also be so innocent, but when the reporter asked again and wholesalers  the situation when he was reluctant to say more and more to Mobile phone power shortage because demand interrupted dialogue.

Scholars blasting materials suspected of involvement in smuggling of chicken disease

Hong Kong University microbiology Professor Yuen Kwok-yung also believe that this outbreak of avian flu cases, the largest chicken may be involved in the smuggling problem, in the past year, has a number of incidents of smuggling of live chickens, he accused smugglers "from the sun spectrum", in particular, Smuggling of chickens are often overcrowded, easy to illness.

Hong Kong Poultry Wholesalers Association, president of Mission Xu said, the problem of smuggling of chicken there is often due to the import of live chickens is in short supply, only 30,000 daily, exploited by criminals and the smuggling of live chickens and chicken post, can be beneficial Fig.

http://translate.google.com/translat...es&tl=en&tl=en

[Commonground]

Market rate of chickens infected immunity doubled down the risk of high explosive epidemic
June 9, 2008

[Ming Pao yesterday - the authorities have been sent to local and mainland farms investigation and inspection of all 64 markets selling live chickens, from a sample to know whether there are chickens explosion of bird flu, is expected to know the next one on the 2nd results, as to Availability of the outbreak of chicken stalls five Cheung Sha Wan wholesale column, because while the wholesale local and mainland chicken farms, in view of live chickens does not recognize the "identity", it difficult to identify infected chickens sources.

FEHD in 2004-2007, the chicken stalls in markets found to have the H9 avian influenza virus samples rate, multiples also soaring, 04 and 05 by only 0.7% and 1.5%, 2.2 to 06 percent, while As of July last year of 12 months, as a ratio of 5.3 percent, microbiologists have warned that the data reflect the decline in the markets of live chickens immunity, once the highly pathogenic H5 virus, the more explosive epidemic crisis.

AFCD Assistant Director of Xue Han pointed out that the Administration was aware of the trend, and the data can be as an indicator, if the virus is higher, may consider stepping up cleansing and improve health. At present, there has been sent to Hong Kong farms blood samples taken from chickens, understand their antibody levels, and understand whether it has collected stool with avian flu virus, the wholesale market will also strengthen the sample tests.

Tracking the source of alleged flawed system

However, Agriculture and Fisheries Members of the Legislative Council questioned Wong Yung-kan, the current system of tracking the source of live chickens is imperfect, markets burst epidemic fundamental points less than the local scene or the chicken, just "broad-brush" full ban, which has seriously affected the operations of industries . He said authorities may refer to the "quality of local fish" approach, coupled with chicken feet in the Central and includes code for tracking. However, the live chicken retailers that this law unreasonable, unless the provisions of local and mainland chickens kept separate cages, otherwise difficile sources.

Hong Kong Livestock Industry Association of chilled fashionable Chairman Guo said today they will be a corresponding increase in import of chilled chickens from 10% to 11 to 120,000, to meet market demand, the retail price of chilled chickens will not be expected to rise for about 13 yuan a The burden

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[Commonground]

Caption:
Hong Kong markets found that the H5N1 avian flu virus case, shocked the community, the authorities have suspended imports of chickens from mainland China. Wholesalers of live chickens, the impact of the avian flu incident, a large number of chickens on the market only poor sales. (CNA)

Hong Kong people could色变chicken chicken unsalable 4 1000

[大纪元June 9 -鸡瘟to, since the Sham Shui Po On Road Market in Hong Kong have been found in the H5N1 avian influenza virus, the public and the chicken stalls are far from chicken Bihuo; on the 8th morning there were about 4,000 live chickens from the poor sales , Chairman of live poultry wholesalers of Mission Xu said, and retailers believe that the Government will slaughter of chickens and clean the markets early in the next day, so that retailers can not related to the shipment.

On Road Market three chicken stalls from the five swab samples and found that the H5N1 avian flu virus, the authorities had immediately enclosed markets, the total elimination of 2,700 mainland suspended the import of poultry and the longest 21 days. At the same time declared that if there is a market in the H5N1 avian influenza infection, will conduct a territory-wide slaughter of chickens.
Xu of Mission, as the market ahead of the Day Monday, traders also fear the future the Government will slaughter of chickens, did not dare to goods, wholesale prices from wholesale markets Yijin the past 16 yuan, to 11.5 yuan, there are still 4 1000 Did not sell chickens.
Kowloon Poultry Transporter and Industry Association, said Wang Deliang, unable to verify whether the avian flu found involved in smuggling of chicken, they think that because of the restrictions on the number of chickens to Hong Kong, resulting in increased chicken prices, unable to stop smuggling.

University of Hong Kong infection and infectious disease centre director Dr Bai Liang pointed out that the authorities could not immediately publish the results, to test on the 4th, to determine the samples with H5N1 missed the best time to guard against.

H5N1 Concern Group spokesman criticized Lo Wing-lok, Hong Kong has not found H5N1 in chickens for many years, authorities have relaxed or, if the tests and publish the results as soon as possible, the public is less risk of the disease.

http://translate.google.com/translat...es&tl=en&tl=en

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.monstersandcritics.com/ne...iven_all-clear

Bird flu fears recede in Hong Kong as markets are given all-clear
Jun 9, 2008, 11:03 GMT

Hong Kong - Fears of a bird flu outbreak in Hong Kong were receding Monday after tests on all markets in the city of 6.9 million failed to find further traces of the H5N1 virus.

The former British colony went on bird flu alert Saturday after swabs taken at a market in the Shamshuipo district found traces of the virus that led to a deadly outbreak in Hong Kong 11 years ago.

The market was closed down, chickens from mainland China were banned and tests were ordered on all poultry markets in the city, a move which saw the sales of chickens plunge 30 per cent Sunday.

However, the government announced Monday that no traces of the virus had been found at any other market in the city or in farms in Hong Kong or in southern China.

Assistant director for agriculture Thomas Sit said investigations into the source of the virus were continuing and customs officers were checking if affected chickens were smuggled into Hong Kong.

Workers in face masks and protective suits Saturday killed 2,700 chickens at an infected market in a chilling reminder of the bird culls in the city in the 1990s.

Hong Kong was home to the first modern case of bird flu to jump the species barrier and infect humans in 1997 when the H5N1 virus killed six people and infected 12 others.

Since then, thanks largely to stringent checks and mass culls when any cases are discovered, there have been no further cases of humans infected by bird flu in Hong Kong despite regional outbreaks.

[Dutchy]

Expert Warns Hong Kong Poultry Measures Inadequate

Posted on: Monday, 9 June 2008, 06:00 CDT

Text of report by Radio TV Hong Kong Radio 3 on 9 June

[Newsreader] Chicken traders have been given a temporary reprieve by the government and allowed to sell their remaining livestock - instead of culling them - after the bird flu virus was found in a local market. As Altis Wong reports, the traders were in a last- minute rush to try and sell their stock ahead of the monthly wet market clean-up which began at noon today [0400 gmt].

[Wong] The market clean-up day has been brought forward following the discovery of the H5N1 virus in three stalls in the Po On market in Sham Shui Po on Saturday [7 June]. All chicken traders have been asked to cull all their stocks to prepare for the clean-up. Some of them complained about the rescheduling of the cleansing day, which is usually slated for Wednesdays. The government has imposed a halt on chicken imports for 21 days in a bid to stop the spread of bird flu.

[Newsreader] Yesterday some 2,700 chickens were slaughtered at a market in Tsim Sha Tsui where sick birds were found. But an infectious-disease expert, Dr Lo Wing-lok, said the government action was too late.

[Lo] The government has deferred the control measures by two days by continuing to allow poultry sales in the retail market, in the wet markets [i.e. of live poultry] without at the same time knowing that the poultry on sale in the retail markets are safe. I believe that the measures are inadequate and may cause the virus to spread in the community.

http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/...es_inadequate/

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.news.gov.hk/en/category/h...609en05002.htm
June 9, 2008
Avian flu
*
Local farms confirmed avian flu-free
*
Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department

The three local farms which supply chickens to Po On Road Market and Cheung Sha Wan Temporary Wholesale Poultry Market have been confirmed avian flu-free, Assistant Director of Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Dr Thomas Sit says.

He told reporters today Mainland authorities have confirmed chickens at six Mainland farms are normal.For local retail markets he said tests are underway, with some samples confirmed free of avian flu.

On chickens at Cheung Sha Wan Temporary Wholesale Poultry Market Dr Sit said they will be released after tests on all samples are confirmed to be virus free, adding test results may be available tonight.

Assistant Director of Food & Environmental Hygiene Chu Lan-ying said the ventilation system at Po On Road Market has been operating smoothly and cleaning will be arranged.

The Food & Health Bureau said Saturday's chicken cull was necessary to safeguard public health and curb the virus spread. Noting the move has affected the live poultry trade, the bureau will consider compensation requests.

[ironorehopper]

Government responds on avian influenza case
June 9 2008, 13.52.50

In light of the presence of H5N1 avian influenza virus in environmental samples taken from Po On Road Market in Sham Shui Po during regular surveillance earlier, the Government has adopted special measures promptly to protect public health, a spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau said today (June 9).

"We understand the measures introduced would have some impact on the traders and we have received their request for compensation.

The Government will consider the traders' request before taking a decision later," the spokesman said.

The detection of avian influenza virus in Po On Road Market showed that the existing surveillance system has been working effectively to allow the Government to eliminate the virus, cleanse the markets and trace the source of the virus promptly so that the threat of the virus could be minimised, the spokesman added.

In addition, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) and the Food and Environment Hygiene Department (FEHD) have been actively tracing the source of avian influenza virus found in the Po On Road Market.

From the invoices of the three affected stalls, FEHD staff have traced back to the wholesalers, then traced further so far to three local farms and six mainland registered farms which supply chickens to Hong Kong.

According to AFCD, there was no abnormality in the three local farms that supply chickens to the wholesalers involved.

The six Mainland registered farms were checked and so far the Mainland inspection and quarantine authorities confirmed that there were no abnormalities.

FEHD had sent staff to Mainland registered farms and processing plants with the aim to ascertain that chickens and poultry meat for supply to Hong Kong would not be affected.

There was an allegation that the Government had taken a long time to make public the test results of the environmental samples from the Po On Road Market.

The spokesman explained that the treatment of environmental samples was different from dead birds.

Under the regular surveillance, virus isolation was used to test environmental samples and this took at least a few days.

The environmental samples were taken on June 3 and the results were announced on June 7.

We understand that the time taken by AFCD to test the samples was comparable to the time required by the local tertiary institutions when conducting similar tests.

The spokesman pointed out that all legal live chicken imports and local chickens from registered farms had to undergo random checks before entering the Cheung Sha Wan Temporary Wholesale Poultry Market.

Only those with satisfactory test results were allowed to be sold to retailers.

Emphasising that the Government had all along been sparing no effort in cracking down on illegal import of live poultry and birds, the spokesman said the Government would not tolerate illegal chicken imports which pose threats to public health.

The Customs and Excise Department together with the relevant departments would conduct a comprehensive special investigation and step up actions to deter smuggling activities.

The Customs and Excise Department called on members of the trade and the public to report any smuggling of poultry and any intelligence to the Customs Information Hotline 2545 6182.
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[HenryN]

Commentary

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/06...mptomatic.html

[HenryN]

Video

http://www.cctv.com/video/NewsHour/2...80609_13.shtml

[Commonground]

Dr. Niman,
I know that the clade in Indonesia is different, than the one in China. I still keep remembering this news. When they say "mixing with the other virus" could the clades combine? Is their any connection here between Indo & China poultry?

The Immune virus the Vaccine was found
Rabu, 30/04/2008

The Directorate General (the Director General) Departemen Livestock Breeding of Agriculture found the existence of the virus of H5N1 strain Purwakarta (PWT) immune the bird flu vaccine.
His article, the poultry in Indonesia has experienced mutation. Now, this virus has spread in Purwakarta, some Subang, some of Jakarta, and Tangerang.
Director Kesehatan of the Dirjen Animal of Deptan Livestock Breeding, Musny Suatmodjo, worried the occurrence of the jump of the case of bird flu to the poultry that was difficult to be combatted if strain that mutated with the other flu virus.
-snip-
With the discovery of the virus of this H5N1 PWT, Musny ordered so that the Service of Peternakan West Java did bio security tightly for all poultry livestock breeding in the region that had strain PWT. Diperkirakan, said he, the number of poultry populations in the region that had strain PWT reached 50 million tails and most were maintained in big livestock breedings.
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