A dead house crow found at local community in Hong Kong was confirmed to be H5N1 positive after a series of laboratory tests, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said Monday.

The carcass was found and collected on Oct. 15 at the refuse collection chamber in Sham Shui Po Park.

It was Hong Kong's first case of the deadly strain of H5N1 virus this autumn.

A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department reminded people to observe good personal hygiene.

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

(Xinhua News Agency October 20, 2008)