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Following is the transcript of remarks (English portion) made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, after attending a television programme today (January 22):
Reporter: The number of H7N9 cases on the Mainland has been rising since winter. Is there something that the Government is concerned about? What measures the Government will introduce?
Secretary for Food and Health: We are concerned about the increase in the sporadic cases of human infection of avian influenza A(H7N9) on the Mainland since winter. In fact, the cumulated number of confirmed cases of human infection of avian influenza A(H7N9) on the Mainland has exceeded 40 since we entered the year of 2014. This is certainly an area of concern. At the same time, we are to introduce the serological test (for H7 avian influenza) on imported live poultry starting from this Friday. Hopefully through this additional risk management mechanism, we would be able to better enhance the safety of imported poultry to Hong Kong, as well as to protect Hong Kong people against the threat of H7N9.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Wednesday, January 22, 2014
Issued at HKT 19:02
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