# 2733
Hong Kong finds, on average, a couple of dozen dead or dying wild birds in their 1,100 sq km territory each year that test positive for the H5N1 virus.
Most are assumed to have made their way to Hong Kong from mainland China.
Today, Hong Kong has announced that the carcasses of two ducks and a goose have been found on a beach near Sha Lo Wan football pitch. These badly decomposed birds are suspected, based on preliminary testing, to have died from the H5N1 virus.
Further testing is expected.
Eighteen people who came in contact with these bird carcasses are under observation. Of those, 17 remain asymptomatic, and one has a fever and a respiratory infection, but was symptomatic BEFORE exposure to the dead birds.
He has been hospitalized as a precaution.
Two reports from the Info.gov.hk site.
Carcasses of a goose and two ducks tested positive for H5 virus
**********************************************************Preliminary testing of a dead goose and two dead ducks found in Sha Lo Wan, Lantau has indicated a suspected case of H5 avian influenza, a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (January 31), adding that further confirmatory tests were being conducted.
The carcasses of a goose and a duck were found and collected on January 29 at a beach near Sha Lo Wan football pitch. They were highly decomposed when being found. Today AFCD staff collected another dead duck at the same location.
The spokesman said there were no poultry farms within three kilometres of where the carcasses were found. This morning AFCD staff conducted inspection of the beach and the nearby villages of Sha Lo Wan Tsuen and Sha Lo Wan San Tsuen. There was no evidence of any backyard poultry being kept there.
AFCD is very concerned about the incident and will continue to monitor the situation. Inspections of the beach and its vicinity will be stepped up. The department is looking into different possibilities of why the goose and duck carcasses were found at the beach, including whether they had been washed ashore or dumped.
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The spokesman said the threat of avian influenza remained. The relevant departments will remain vigilant and continue to strictly implement preventive and control measures against avian influenza.
Ends/Saturday, January 31, 2009
Issued at HKT 21:26
Eighteen persons with contact of dead birds put under medical surveillance
******************************************************Following the finding of dead birds in Sha Lo Wan, Lantau, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is liaising with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department in tracing people who had potential contact with the dead birds suspected of being infected with H5 avian influenza.
CHP contacted six members of the public who reported the incident and 12 staff involved in the operation of collecting dead birds.Seventeen of them are asymptomatic and have been put under medical surveillance, a CHP spokesman said today (January 31).
The 26-year-old driver who had participated in collecting the dead birds on January 29 developed fever and symptoms of upper respiratory infection since January 27. He denied having contacted with the birds during the operation.
Given the fact that the driver developed symptoms two days before the operation, the spokesman noted that the chance of him being infected with avian flu was low.
“However, as a precautionary measure and in order to follow up his condition more closely, the driver has been admitted to the Princess Margaret Hospital for observation and further investigation,” he added.
The spokesman reminded members of the public to remain vigilant against avian influenza infection and to observe the following measures:
* Avoid direct contact with poultry and birds or their droppings; if contacts have been made, they should wash hands thoroughly with soap and water;* Poultry and eggs should be thoroughly cooked before eating;
* Wash hands frequently;
* Cover nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing, hold the spit with tissue and put it into covered dustbins;
* Avoid crowded places and contact with sick people with fever;
* Wear a mask when you have respiratory symptoms or need to take care of patients with fever; and
* When you have fever and influenza-like illnesses during a trip or when coming back to Hong Kong, you should consult doctors promptly and reveal your travel history.
For further information on avian influenza, please visit the CHP website: http://www.chp.gov.hk.Ends/Saturday, January 31, 2009
Issued at HKT 22:59
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