Experts probe discovery of more dead birds in HK

[HenryN]

<TABLE cellSpacing=5 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=bottom align=left>Experts probe discovery of more dead birds in HK

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</TD></TR><TR><TD bgColor=#999999 height=1></TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD> BIRD FLU
Regina Leung
5:30pm, Feb 02, 2009 </TD></TR><TR><TD>Agriculture and Fisheries Department officers on Monday afternoon were probing the discovery of more dead birds on Lantau Island. ...</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2c913216495213d5df646910cba0a0a0/?vgnextoid=286967f49463f110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=teaser&ss=Hong+Kong&s=News

[HenryN]

Re: Experts probe discovery of more dead birds in HK

<TABLE cellSpacing=5 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=bottom align=left>Experts probe discovery of more dead birds in HK


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</TD></TR><TR><TD bgColor=#999999 height=1></TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD> BIRD FLU
Regina Leung
5:30pm, Feb 02, 2009
</TD></TR><TR><TD>Agriculture and Fisheries Department officers on Monday afternoon were probing the discovery of more dead birds on Lantau Island. ...</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP...ng+Kong&s=News

Three dead chickens at beach at Sha Lo Wan Monday.

[HenryN]

Re: Experts probe discovery of more dead birds in HK

Updated map

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[HenryN]

Re: Experts probe discovery of more dead birds in HK

<TABLE class=contentpaneopen><TBODY><TR><TD class=contentheading width="100%">Municipal Bureau affirms no bird flu virus found </TD><TD class=buttonheading align=right width="100%"> </TD><TD class=buttonheading align=right width="100%"> </TD><TD class=buttonheading align=right width="100%"> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=contentpaneopen><TBODY><TR><TD class=createdate vAlign=top colSpan=2>Monday, 02 February 2009 </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=2>Ng Peng In, the member of the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM) Management Committee said yesterday that they have established a "strict" bird flu inspection mechanism and no bird flu case was reported so far.
He also told media that the bureau would communicate and exchange latest information with the Health Bureau and revise the existing preventive measures when needed.
Meanwhile, he urged residents to be aware of the virus but said they did not need to be "overreacted".
According to yesterday's report, the dead goose and two ducks found on a beach near the Lantau Island in Hong Kong have tested positive for H5 virus.
The carcasses of the two fowls were decomposed when were discovered on the beach.
The Hong Kong government spokeswoman Suzanne Lee said ?it wasn't clear which strain the poultry had.?
In addition, a 26 year old driver in Hong Kong suffered from fever and respiratory infection on Tuesday after disposing dead fowl bodies.
He has been hospitalised at the Prince Margaret Hospital but believed to have "a low chance of contagious", said the government spokeswoman in Hong Kong.

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http://www.macaudailytimesnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=22285&Itemid=28

[HenryN]

Re: Experts probe discovery of more dead birds in HK

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=430 align=left border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=theme_news_header>http://www.news.gov.hk/en/category/h...202en05003.htm

More dead birds found on Lantau
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The Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department will enhance inspections on backyard poultry keeping after nine more bird carcasses were found in Sham Wat Wan and Sha Lo Wan, Lantau Island, today.

Acting Deputy Director of Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Liu Kwei-kin today said the carcasses include a goose, five chickens, a duck and two unidentified birds. Tests will be conducted to see if they have the H5 avian influenza virus.

As there are no poultry farms in the area, department staff will inspect nearby beaches and villages to see if any backyard poultry are being kept in the area.

The checks in northern Lantau will be completed in two days and the department will then expand inspections citywide.

The department will also conduct a study on water currents and weather to see if the carcasses were washed ashore. It will exchange the information with Mainland authorities.

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[HenryN]

Re: Experts probe discovery of more dead birds in HK

Updated map

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[Giuseppe]

Re: Experts probe discovery of more dead birds in HK

Hong Kong: AFCD continues investigation into discovery of bird carcasses on Lantau (2/2/2009) [AFCD]

A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (February 2) that following the H5 virus test results of a dead goose and two dead ducks last Saturday (January 31), nine more carcasses of birds were collected at Sha Lo Wan and Sham Wat Wan, Lantau between February 1 and 2 after a series of inspections around the area, adding that preliminary testing for the H5 virus is being arranged.

The government is very concerned about the incident and has launched a three-pronged investigation on the possible causes of the recent discovery of bird carcasses:

i)to step up inspections to ascertain whether illegal backyard poultry keeping is involved;

ii)to see if prevailing water currents and the weather are factors related to the discovery of the bird carcasses; and iii)to patrol along the waterfront to see if there are further findings of dead birds.

Of the carcasses found these two days, one dead goose was found in Sham Wat yesterday.

AFCD staff also collected a dead Cattle Egret and four dead chickens in Sha Lo Wan, as well as a dead chicken and two dead ducks in Sham Wat Wan today.

AFCD will continue to closely monitor the situation.

Checks have been strengthened against illegal keeping of backyard poultry throughout the territory.

The inspections in North Lantau are expected to complete in two days.

So far unauthorised keeping of poultry has not been observed in Sha Lo Wan and Sham Wat Wan.

The spokesman said that as a precautionary measure to reduce the risk of an avian influenza outbreak, a ban on backyard poultry keeping has been in force since 2006.

Unauthorised keeping of five kinds of poultry - chickens, ducks, geese, pigeons or quails - is an offence with a maximum fine of $50,000. Repeat offenders are subject to a maximum fine of $100,000.

"Apart from the increased inspections to strictly enforce the ban, leaflets will also be distributed during the inspections and publicity against backyard poultry keeping will be enhanced," the spokesman said.

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

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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[HenryN]

Re: Experts probe discovery of more dead birds in HK

Nine more dead birds on Lantau stoke flu fears

Fears of a bird flu outbreak in Hong Kong rose yesterday after nine more dead birds were found on Lantau.

Adele Wong

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Fears of a bird flu outbreak in Hong Kong rose yesterday after nine more dead birds were found on Lantau.

The carcasses of a goose, five chickens, one duck and two birds that were not identified bring to 12 the number of dead birds found on the island since Thursday. The first three tested positive for H5N1.
Hong Kong University assistant professor in the department of microbiology Leo Poon Lit-man said the discoveries increased the chances of a bird flu outbreak.
"If the carcasses are the result of an as-yet- unknown outbreak in the mainland, and [in a place] close to the city, there is a greater likelihood of Hong Kong citizens being exposed to bird flu."
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department is investigating whether the birds may have come from nearby villages or farms.
Department assistant director Liu Kwei-kin said inspections will cover Lantau and then the rest of the territory.
Liu said Hong Kong will collaborate with mainland officials to determine whether the birds came from over the border.
"We will also conduct tests on all carcasses to see whether they are carrying the avian flu virus."
Villagers said there have been other occasions when dead poultry washed ashore. Sha Lo Wan village head Lee Chi-fung said residents believe the dead birds came from the Pearl River Delta.
"We will need to be more careful when walking on the beaches," a female resident said.
The HKU department of microbiology said it is working at sequencing the carcasses to determine whether the birds had succumbed to avian flu, and hopes to complete the process today.
Eighteen people who were exposed to the carcasses in Sha Lo Wan are under medical surveillance by the Center for Health Protection.
The mainland has reported eight human cases of H5N1 infection since December. Five of the victims died.

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_print.asp?art_id=77738&sid=22513550

[HenryN]

Re: Experts probe discovery of more dead birds in HK

<TABLE cellSpacing=5 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=bottom align=left>Checks on villages after more dead poultry found on beaches

</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=bottom align=left>Eight more birds found dead; backyard farming to be probed

</TD></TR><TR><TD bgColor=#999999 height=1></TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD>Ng Yuk-hang and Ella Lee
Feb 03, 2009 </TD></TR><TR><TD>Every village in Hong Kong will be inspected for illegal backyard poultry following the discovery yesterday of more dead birds washed up on beaches in northern Lantau....</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/menuitem.2c913216495213d5df646910cba0a0a0/?vgnextoid=501f1ab3aa73f110VgnVCM100000360a0a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=teaser&s=news

[Sally Furniss]

Re: Experts probe discovery of more dead birds in HK

More Lantau bird carcasses collected

Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department

The Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department has collected nine more dead birds from Sham Wat Wan and San Shek Wan on Lantau.

The carcasses found today included a duck, six chickens and two birds of as-yet identified species. The chicken was collected in Sham Wat Wan and the others in San Shek Wan.

The dead Cattle Egret and one of the chickens collected in Sha Lo Wan yesterday tested negative for the H5 virus. As the other bird carcasses were highly decomposed when found, more time is needed to confirm the test results.

The department staff inspected 28 villages in North Lantau today and found no unauthorised poultry keeping. It will continue Inspections throughout the territory.

It will continue to monitor the situation and investigate how the birds died and where they came from.

People can call 1823 if they come across suspicious sick or dead birds, including carcasses of wild birds and poultry.

http://www.news.gov.hk/en/category/healthandcommunity/090204/html/090204en05001.htm

[Giuseppe]

Re: Experts probe discovery of more dead birds in HK

Hong Kong: Dead goose and two dead ducks found in Sha Lo Wan test positive for H5N1 virus (2/4/2009) [AFCD]

A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (February 4) that the dead goose and two dead ducks found in Sha Lo Wan, Lantau last week were confirmed to be H5N1 positive after a series of laboratory tests.


AFCD staff collected the carcasses of a goose and a duck on January 29 at a beach near Sha Lo Wan football pitch.

Another dead duck was found on January 31 at the same location.

The spokesman said that two more dead chickens were collected on the coast opposite Yeung Hau Temple in Tai O, Lantau today, adding that preliminary tests for the H5 virus are being arranged.

AFCD will continue to closely monitor the situation and investigate into the possible causes of the recent discovery of bird carcasses.

The inspections in North Lantau have been completed and no unauthorised keeping of poultry has been observed.

Separately, AFCD staff inspected 321 villages in Hong Kong today.

Five live chickens and two live ducks were found unattended in Cheung Po, Kam Tin.

After taking samples for testing, AFCD has disposed of all the poultry.

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

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

"They should avoid contact with wild birds or live poultry," the spokesman said.
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[HenryN]

Re: Experts probe discovery of more dead birds in HK

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=430 align=left border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=theme_news_header>Dead birds test positive for H5N1 </TD></TR><TR><TD>
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A dead goose and two dead ducks found in Sha Lo Wan, Lantau last week were confirmed to be H5N1 positive, the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department said today.

The carcasses of a goose and a duck were picked up on January 29 at a beach near Sha Lo Wan football pitch. Another dead duck was found on January 31 at the same location.

Two more dead chickens were found on the coast next to Yeung Hau Temple in Tai O, Lantau today and the department is arranging preliminary tests.

Inspections in North Lantau have been completed and no unauthorised poultry keeping has been observed.

Separately, 321 villages throughout Hong Kong were inspected today. Five live chickens and two live ducks were found unattended in Cheung Po, Kam Tin. The department disposed of them after taking samples for testing.

Unauthorised keeping of five kinds of poultry may result in a maximum fine of $50,000. Repeat offenders are subject to a maximum fine of $100,000.

People can call 1823 if they come across suspicious sick or dead birds, including carcasses of wild birds and poultry.

http://www.news.gov.hk/en/category/healthandcommunity/090205/html/090205en05002.htm

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[HenryN]

Re: Experts probe discovery of more dead birds in HK

http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sp/article/2009/200902/20090205/article_389946.htm

Dead birds found in HK test positive for H5N1 virus
Created: 2009-2-5 9:47:17, Updated: 2009-2-5 9:50:36


A spokesman for Hong Kong's Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said yesterday that the dead goose and two dead ducks found in Sha Lo Wan, Lantau Island in Hong Kong last week were confirmed to be H5N1 positive after a series of laboratory tests.

AFCD staff collected the carcasses of a goose and a duck on Jan. 29 at a beach near Sha Lo Wan football pitch. Another dead duck was found on Jan. 31 at the same location.

The spokesman said that two more dead chickens were collected on the coast opposite Yeung Hau Temple in Tai O, Lantau yesterday, adding that preliminary tests for the H5 virus are being arranged.

AFCD will continue to closely monitor the situation and investigate into the possible causes of the recent discovery of bird carcasses, said the spokesman.

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

[HenryN]

Re: Experts probe discovery of more dead birds in HK

Updated map

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[HenryN]

Re: Experts probe discovery of more dead birds in HK

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=533 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=262 rowSpan=3> </TD><TD width=12 rowSpan=3></TD><TD vAlign=top width=259>World
</TD><TR><TD class=mainnewstitle vAlign=center>Hong Kong reports new bird flu outbreak


</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=bottom height=10><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=maintime>11:24</TD><TD class=maindatedelim width=1>|</TD><TD class=maindate>05/ 02/ 2009</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD><TD align=right>
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SYANGAN (Hong Kong), February 5 (RIA Novosti) - Three birds that were found dead on a beach on Hong Kong's largest island have tested positive for bird flu, regional radio said on Thursday, citing local authorities. Officials said the dead goose and two dead ducks that were found on Lantau Island last week contained the deadly H5N1 strain. The birds are believed to have washed up in Hong Kong after dying in China.
Around 20 other birds have been found in the past six days in Hong Kong, where private poultry farms have been banned since 2006. Officials suspect that all of the birds came from China, where five people died from the H5N1 virus in January.
In December, more than 90,000 chickens were culled at a Hong Kong poultry farm following a bird flu outbreak. Hong Kong's biggest bird flu outbreak was in 1997 when seven people died. The last death in the former British colony was reported in 2003.
Although there have been no incidences of human to human infection, experts fear that bird flu may mutate into a form that could easily be transmitted from person to person, causing a global pandemic.

http://en.rian.ru/world/20090205/119990311.html