The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (February 9) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) about an outbreak of low pathogenic avian influenza H7N6 in Quillota Province, Chile, it has banned the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the area with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

     A CFS spokesman said that Hong Kong imported about 750 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Chile last year.

      "The CFS has contacted the Chilean authorities over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the OIE on avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said.

Ends/Thursday, February 9, 2017
Issued at HKT 18:35

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