# 6049
Hong Kong is one of the few places in the world where public health authorities take notice of something as seemingly inconsequential as a single dead bird.
To understand why, you have to go back to 1997, when the H5N1 Bird Flu virus suddenly appeared in Hong Kong – infecting 18 residents and killing 6.
The source of the infection, it was discovered, was their domesticated poultry industry. It was only the complete eradication of all poultry in the territory that managed to halt what many feared could have been a disaster.
Since then, Hong Kong has kept a particularly watchful eye.
Not only on people (they test flu strains more thoroughly than perhaps anyplace in the world), but also on birds, both wild and farmed.
In December of 2008, Hong Kong saw their first outbreak of H5N1 in domesticated poultry in nearly 6 years. This once again set off alarm bells, and sparked intense debate on how the virus managed to get past their biosecurity measures.
In January of 2009 it was announced that the H5N1 outbreak was `likely’ caused by infected migratory birds. See Wild Birds Eyed As Likely Source Of Hong Kong Bird Flu Outbreak.
In spite of few reports of infected wild birds in mainland China (due, no doubt to less than robust surveillance and reporting), most years we hear of at least a dozen H5 positive migratory birds making it into Hong Kong.
With each announcement, calls go out to increase biosecurity measures at local poultry farms.
The recent high-profile death of a 39 year-old bus driver from the H5N1 virus in the neighboring city of Shenzhen (see China Seeks To Reassure On Bird Flu) undoubtedly serves to heighten their vigilance.
This from the Centre For Health Protection.
Black-headed gulls test positive for H5 virus
Two dead Black-headed gulls found in Tuen Mun and Lantau have tested positive for the H5 avian influenza virus in preliminary testing, a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (January 3), adding that further confirmatory tests are being conducted.
The first gull was collected at EcoPark, 133 Lung Mun Road, Tuen Mun, on December 30, 2011 while the second one was found at a drain near Sha Lo Wan Soccer Pitch, Lantau, on January 1.
The Black-headed gull is a common winter visitor.
The spokesman said there were no poultry farms within three kilometres of where the dead birds were found.
The AFCD has phoned poultry farmers to remind them to strengthen precautionary and biosecurity measures against avian influenza. Letters have been issued to farmers, pet bird shop owners and licence holders of pet poultry and racing pigeons, reminding them that proper precautions must be taken.
The spokesman said the department would conduct frequent inspections of poultry farms and the wholesale market to ensure that proper precautions against avian influenza have been implemented. The department will continue its wild bird monitoring and surveillance.
"People should avoid personal contact with wild birds and live poultry and their droppings. They should clean their hands thoroughly after coming into contact with them. The public can call 1823 for follow-up if they come across suspicious sick or dead birds, including the carcasses of wild birds and poultry," the spokesman said.
Ends/Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Issued at HKT 18:13
