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Mai Po Nature Reserve, which has been closed to the public since February 6, will be re-opened from tomorrow (February 27).
With the detection of the H5N1 virus in a dead Great Egret which was found within three kilometres of Mai Po, the nature reserve was closed as part of precautionary measures adopted to minimise human contact with birds.
"As there has not been any new case of birds infected with H5 virus found near the nature reserve in the past 21 days, which is the standard of the World Organisation for Animal Health, the nature reserve can be re-opened to the public," a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today.
But the spokesman warned that people should still be alert.
"People should observe good personal hygiene and avoid contact with wild birds and their droppings. They should also wash their hands thoroughly after contact with wild birds and their droppings," he said.
The department will continue to work closely with the World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong to ensure that sufficient precautionary measures are being taken.
The department has maintained a stringent monitoring regime on wild birds in the Mai Po Nature Reserve and has been collecting faecal samples for H5 avian influenza tests since winter 2002.
"We will continue to be vigilant and maintain surveillance of wild birds," the spokesman said.
Ends/Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:44
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