# 8229
Within hours of the news of recently imported Chickens testing positive for the H7N9 virus (see Hong Kong : Imported Chickens Suspected Of H7N9 Infection), Kong Kong’s SFH Dr. Ko Wing-man convened an emergency meeting of the Influenza Pandemic Contingency Steering Committee, and announced the culling of 20,000 chickens and the halt in poultry imports from the mainland for at least 3 weeks.
An English language version is not available yet, but we have a reasonably readable machine translation of his remarks from http://www.info.gov.hk
Secretary for Food and Health Meet the Press opening remarks avian flu
The following is the Secretary for Food and Health KO today (January 27) at the "Influenza Pandemic Contingency Plan" Serious Response Level Steering Committee meeting at the government headquarters in the West Wing lobby, met the press opening remarks:
Secretary for Food and Health : Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today on a group from Shunde, Guangdong Province registered for samples of live chickens in Hong Kong poultry farms, PCR performed H7 avian influenza rapid test, which is a genetic test . After repeated tests confirmed the sample tested positive for the H7 gene response.After we received the laboratory report tonight confirmed (with sample tested positive for the H7 gene reaction), immediately convene the meeting of the Steering Committee of avian influenza, and (decision) based on the severity of the avian influenza program, and we H7 with the Mainland Agreement reached for avian influenza measures, to take the following measures to prevent the virus from spreading, the protection of public health.
First, the AFCD has announced for the Cheung Sha Wan Temporary Wholesale Poultry Market epidemic. AFCD will arrange the morning of January 28, that is tomorrow morning to destroy all poultry farm, involving about 20,000 birds. Wholesale markets will be closed 21 days, suspend all live poultry trade (including the Mainland and local live poultry), up to the year ○ 一 四年 18 February thorough disinfection and cleaning periods.
During the wholesale market is closed, a temporary ban on all local chicken farms appearances. AFCD staff will inspect all local farms, and increase the sampling inspection, to ensure that our farm or chickens were not affected.The HKSAR Government has notified the Mainland authorities to suspend the source of supply to Hong Kong registered farms and exit inspection and quarantine requirements of the relevant departments of the registered farms farms to investigate and ensure compliance with the biosafety regulatory requirements, and to trace the true source of infection .
After the expiry of the suspension period of 21 days to Hong Kong, the need for qualified farm monitoring and notification of Hong Kong, after the two sides agree that the survey results, before resuming the supply of live poultry to Hong Kong registered farms.
I want to emphasize that since the last outbreak of H7N9 bird flu in March mainland, we have since last April 11, the introduction of fast (genetic) tests for influenza A (H7N9), and has examined more than 14 000 samples, All for H5 and H7 viruses were negative. Today is the first inspection of the import of live poultry for H7 (virus) positive.
AFCD, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and the Food Safety center will strengthen the H7N9 prevention and control measures in all aspects of live poultry supply chain.Centre for Health Protection has related epidemiological investigations. Responsible for the delivery of a batch of chickens in the poultry trade, is defined as close contacts, the current center CHP liaising with the person, (that person) needs to be sent to Princess Margaret Hospital for Infectious Diseases Center for further testing and observation. Centre for Health Protection will also be contact tracing and follow up checkpoints and Man Kam To Animal practitioners and staff of the Cheung Sha Wan Temporary Wholesale Poultry Market to learn about their health. Centre for Health Protection and the Hospital Authority in Hong Kong will remind doctors and medical staff in public hospitals must be vigilant again.
I would again appeal to the public to be vigilant, do not ignore good personal hygiene practices, such as washing hands frequently, if they have to wear a mask discomfort and see a doctor, tell your doctor if you have any history of exposure. I would also remind the public once again, to the affected areas, do not contact with live poultry or wild birds, but also not to go downtown.
(Please also refer to the English portion of the transcript.)Finish
2014 年 1 月 27 日 (星期一)
HKT 22:20
