Hong Kong's Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said Sunday that a dead Oriental Magpie Robin found in Sha Tau Kok was confirmed to be H5N1 positive after a series of laboratory tests.

 

According to a government press release, the dead bird was collected by AFCD staff on January 26 in a privately-owned hut near a village house upon a public referral.

 

A department spokesman reminded the public of observing good personal hygiene.

 

"They should avoid personal contact with wild birds and live poultry and clean their hands thoroughly after coming into contact with them," he said.

 

Related departments of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government have already stepped up bird flu prevention measures after a wild bird was tested H5N1 positive earlier this month. 

(Xinhua News Agency January 30, 2006)