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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (January 21) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in West Tripura District, Tripura State of India, it has banned the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the areas concerned with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.
A CFS spokesman said Hong Kong did not import any poultry meat or poultry eggs from India from January to November last year.
"The CFS has contacted the Indian authorities over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the OIE on avian influenza outbreaks in the country. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said.
Ends/Thursday, January 21, 2016
Issued at HKT 18:59
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