Press Releases

Preliminary testing of a dead Oriental Magpie Robin found in Yuen Long has tested positive for H5 avian influenza virus, a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (January 19), adding that further confirmatory tests were being conducted.

The bird's carcass was found and collected on January 17 near a refuse collection point at Fairview Park, Yuen Long. The Oriental Magpie Robin is a common resident bird in Hong Kong.

The AFCD has reminded the property management company to step up cleansing and disinfection.

The spokesman said that the Mai Po Nature Reserve (MPNR) and three chicken farms are within three kilometres of where the bird was found. AFCD staff inspected the farms and found no abnormal mortality or symptoms of avian influenza among the chicken flocks. These farms will be put under enhanced surveillance.

The MPNR will remain open to the public. The AFCD will maintain close communication with the MPNR to ensure that the existing precautionary measures against avian influenza will be enhanced to safeguard public health.

In view of this case, the AFCD has called on poultry farmers reminding them to strengthen precautionary and biosecurity measures against avian influenza. Letters will be issued to farmers, pet bird shop owners, licence holders of pet poultry and racing pigeons reminding them that proper precautions must be taken.

The spokesman said the department would conduct frequent inspections of poultry farms and the wholesale market to ensure that proper precautions against avian influenza have been implemented. The department will continue its wild bird monitoring and surveillance.

In addition, AFCD staff has inspected 369 villages in Hong Kong since January 4. So far, unauthorised keeping of poultry has not been observed. The inspections will continue.

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.

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

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 to remind the public to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene to prevent avian influenza.

The 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 caused by imported poultry and birds that have not gone through inspection and quarantine.

All relevant government departments will continue to remain highly vigilant and strictly enforce preventive measures against avian influenza.

Ends