Imports from Guangdong were suspended for one week after an avian flu case among ducks in Xinzao, Panyu, was confirmed. All imports of live poultry and birds, day-old chicks, poultry eggs, chilled and frozen poultry meat from all farms and processing plants within the zone were suspended for three weeks.

The Ministry of Agriculture has confirmed the death of ducklings from avian flu was mainly due to insufficient time for them to develop immunity after receiving vaccination. There is no question of a virus mutation or sub-standard vaccines, it added.

Guangdong authorities have adopted appropriate control and preventive measures and so far no abnormal death of ducks has occurred. There is no new case of avian flu infection in Guangdong farms. Inspection and quarantine of live poultry, chilled poultry meat and poultry eggs for supply to Hong Kong has also been bolstered. Everything is normal and no problem has been detected.

In view of the above, the bureau decided to partially lift the import ban. It will liaise with Mainland authorities on the control of avian flu. Staff from the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department will inspect some of the registered farms in Guangdong which supply live chickens to Hong Kong.

Inspection and surveillance of the hygiene conditions in all local live poultry farms, wholesale and retail markets will be stepped up while the testing of Mainland live poultry imports has also been bolstered. Enforcement against illegal poultry and bird imports will be strengthened.