#12,870
Although things are still quiet on the avian flu front in China, over the past 5 years we've come to expect the opening salvos of H7N9 to begin in November or December. With that in mind, we are seeing a number of avian flu drills being held across China, including today in Hong Kong.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (October 31) carried out an exercise to review the department's preparedness in case a poultry culling operation is required in response to an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Hong Kong.
About 100 staff members of the AFCD, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health and the Civil Aid Service took part in the exercise, codenamed "Hydrangea", to familiarise themselves with the work procedures and biosecurity measures necessary for carrying out the operation, such as procedures for wearing and removing protective gear as well as the disinfection and disposal of carcasses, and to test the response plans.
A field command centre and a mock chicken farm were set up at the exercise venue for participants to carry out their front-line duties, which included mobilising staff and resources, setting up different operation areas in the mock chicken farm, and following personal biosecurity guidelines when entering and leaving the mock chicken farm.
The Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Dr Leung Siu-fai, accompanied the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan; the Under Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Chui Tak-yi; and the Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Food), Mrs Cherry Tse, to observe the front-line operations.
Professor Chan pointed out that avian influenza has occurred from time to time in different parts of the world, and Hong Kong should stay vigilant at all times. Therefore, such an exercise is essential to ensure that the relevant departments are prepared to execute effectively the contingency plan in case a culling operation in Hong Kong is necessary.
Professor Chan also stressed that the Government will continue to implement diligently the prevention and control measures, and urged the poultry trade and the general public to remain vigilant and help guard against avian influenza viruses.
In addition, the Government will step up surveillance before the winter season. These measures include conducting surprise inspections targeting local poultry farms and pet bird shops, the collection of more samples from the wholesale poultry market and retail outlets for tests on avian influenza, and enhanced actions to combat the illegal import of live birds at boundary control points.
The AFCD has notified the World Organisation for Animal Health of the exercise.
Ends/Tuesday, October 31, 2017Issued at HKT 18:18
This winter, in addition to the ongoing threats from LPAI H7N9 and HPAI H5N6, there are new concerns over the emergence and spread last spring of a new, potentially more dangerous, HPAI H7N9 virus.
For a review of recent developments, you may wish to revisit:
J. Virology: Emergence & Adaptation Of HPAI H7N9 In Birds and Humans
Cell Research: Another Cautionary H7N9 Study Out Of China
Cell Host & Microbe: HPAI H7N9 Lethality & Transmission In Ferrets
