Hong Kong has stepped up efforts to tighten surveillance and strengthen communications with the mainland after a handful of birds were found to have been infected with the deadly H5N1 avian flu virus.

 

After meeting officials in neighboring Shenzhen City yesterday, Hong Kong's Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food York Chow said that the special administrative region might reconsider the daily quota of imported live chickens from the mainland if H5N1 outbreaks continue to be reported in Hong Kong and south China.

 

Chow said they agreed to enhance inspection of chicken farms that supply to Hong Kong. If there is an avian flu outbreak in poultry farms near the boundary, Shenzhen authorities will join Hong Kong in culling all live poultry within five kilometers of the affected area.

 

"Shenzhen authorities have already reduced the number of registered chicken farms from over 100 to 35. Because of the very stringent criteria of accreditation and licensing, they have regular checks on the farms," he said.

 

"They also have ensured all chickens are being vaccinated and they are testing the antibodies on a regular basis," he added.

 

Chickens exported to Hong Kong are observed for five days, and the loading process is closely monitored.

 

Hong Kong has also put customs officers on high alert and tightened surveillance to stop people smuggling birds and poultry into the territory.

 

In the past three months, Hong Kong customs officers have detained 212 people and seized 700 kg of fresh and frozen poultry, and five live birds in a smuggling crackdown.

 

Assistant Commissioner (Boundary & Ports) Chow Kwong said yesterday since the discovery of H5N1 in Hunan Province in October last year, customs authorities have enhanced boundary enforcement.

 

Last week, a chicken smuggled into Hong Kong from the mainland was found to have had the H5N1 bird flu virus. The disease, according to the World Health Organization, has infected 161 people and killed 86 since 2003.

 

Also on Monday, the HKSAR government announced in a statement that a dead magpie that was collected from a local village last Thursday and died Friday has tested positive for the H5N1 strain of bird flu, the fifth infected bird to be discovered in recent weeks.

 

In order to reduce the risk of an outbreak of avian influenza in Hong Kong, the local government will amend relevant legislation to ban the raising of poultry in households, York Chow said.

 

About 1,800 households that rear several thousand birds will be asked to surrender them when the ban on backyard poultry-keeping takes effect, Chow's bureau said.

 

Patrol teams will be formed to ensure effective enforcement of the new law.

 

Since February 2, the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department has appealed to villagers to hand in their backyard poultry.

 

The definition of poultry includes chickens, ducks, geese, pigeons, turkeys and quails. Those found guilty of illegally raising poultry could face a fine of HK$50,000-100,000 (US$6,452-12,903).

 

(Xinhua News Agency February 7, 2006)