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Preliminary testing of two dead birds collected in Kowloon has indicated suspected cases of H5 avian influenza, a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (January 18), adding that further confirmatory tests are being conducted.
One of them was a dead White-eye collected by AFCD staff on Convair Drive, San Po Kong on January 15 after being alerted by a member of the public.
The other involved a dead House Crow collected by AFCD staff from Lai On Estate, Sham Shui Po on January 16 upon referral from the Housing Department.
The White¡ªeye is a common resident bird in Hong Kong but the House Crow is an exotic species.
"We have been actively monitoring the population of House Crows and will continue to deploy effective measures to reduce their number," the spokesman said.
In 2006, a total of 150 eggs and chicks of House Crows were removed and some 90 individuals were collected by anaesthetic baiting. With the implementation of these measures, the local house crow population has stablised at about 250.
The spokesman added: "We have stepped up cleansing the Cheung Sha Wan Temporary Wholesale Poultry Market and letters have been issued to poultry farmers reminding them to maintain precautions against avian influenza."
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and the Housing Department will continue to maintain a clean living environment for the public. The departments will step up cleansing operations in San Po Kong and Sham Shui Po Districts in particular.
Members of the public are reminded to observe good personal hygiene. They should avoid personal contact with wild birds and live poultry and clean their hands thoroughly after coming into contact with them.
Ends/Thursday, January 18, 2007
Issued at HKT 20:44
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