The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) received an immediate notification on Wednesday, 29 January. According to the report, the outbreak initially took place on 27 January and confirmed on the same date after polymerase chain reaction (PCR), virus isolation and gene sequencing tests were carried out on live chickens at the Tai Lung Veterinary Laboratory, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and Centre of Influenza Research, School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong.

The report states that an imported consignment of live chickens was tested positive for low pathogenic H7N9 avian influenza virus during regular surveillance on 27 January 2014.

The OIE reports that an intensive surveillance system is in place for all import poultry, wild bird, local poultry farms, poultry markets and pet bird shops. An imported consignment containing 2,600 silky chickens was tested positive for low pathogenic avian influenza virus (H7N9) in the routine surveillance programme.

A total of 22,604 poultry, including 16,984 chickens, 2,898 silky fowls, 1,080 pheasants and 1,642 pigeons were culled on 28 January 2014. Importation of live poultry and movement of poultry in local farms are banned for 21 days.

Legal movement of animals has been cited as the primary cause of the outbreak.

Some of the control measures that have been applied include:

• Stamping out
• Quarantine
• Movement control inside the country
• Screening
• Zoning
• Disinfection of infected premises/establishment(s)

None of the birds were received vaccination, and no treatment was given to the affected birds.