# 6112
Despite few reports of infected wild birds from mainland China (no doubt due to less than robust surveillance and reporting), most years we hear of a dozen or more H5N1 infected migratory birds making it into Hong Kong.
With each announcement, calls go out to increase biosecurity measures at local poultry farms, and for citizens to avoid contact with sick or dead birds.
In December of 2008 Hong Kong saw their first outbreak of H5N1 in domesticated poultry in nearly 6 years. In early 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.
Since them, local authorities have become even more diligent in their surveillance and testing of dead birds.
Today, the Hong Kong government has announced the discovery of two more birds, from two different locations in the city, that have tested positive for the H5 virus in preliminary testing.
Peregrine falcon and black-headed gull test positive for H5 virus
February 1, 2012 Issued at HKT 18:47
Preliminary testing of a dead peregrine falcon in Tung Chung and a dead black-headed gull in Yuen Long have tested positive for the H5 avian influenza virus, a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (February 1), adding that further confirmatory tests are being conducted.
On January 30, the dead peregrine falcon and black-headed gull were found and collected in the park of Seaview Crescent, Man Tung Road, Tung Chung and Chun Yin Square Playground, Yuen Long respectively.
Peregrine falcons are rare winter visitors to Hong Kong, while the black-headed gull is a common visitor.
The spokesman said there were no poultry farms within three kilometres of where the dead peregrine falcon was found, but four chicken farms are within three kilometres of where the dead black-headed gull was found. AFCD staff inspected the farms and found no abnormal mortality or symptoms of avian influenza among the chicken flocks. These farms will be put under enhanced surveillance.
In view of these cases, the AFCD has phoned poultry farmers to remind them to strengthen precautionary and biosecurity measures against avian influenza. Letters have been sent 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.
China ranks 174th in Reporters without Borders Press Freedom Index 2011/2012 (out of 179), while Hong Kong places 54th (not far below the United States which ranks 47th).
Which may help explain (in part, anyway) why most years we hear of more H5N1 infected birds from within the 426 sq. miles of Hong Kong than we do for the entire 3,704,426 sq. miles of mainland China.
