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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (May 29) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in the Vallンe du Bandama Region of Côte d'Ivoire, it has banned the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the region 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 Côte d'Ivoire last year.
"The CFS has contacted the Côte d'Ivoire authorities over the issues 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/Friday, May 29, 2015
Issued at HKT 17:06
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