| |
| |
 |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
HONG KONG - A wild bird found dead in Hong Kong was infected with the fatal H5N1 strain of bird flu, the government confirmed Saturday.
The bird, from a local species called the scaly-breasted munia, was discovered in the busy shopping area of Causeway Bay on December 31.
It was the only one of six dead birds found that tested positive for the deadly virus, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said on Saturday.
Department officials have said winter was the migratory bird season, posing higher risks of bird flu.
The department urged residents Saturday to be vigilant against bird flu, which has killed more than 150 people throughout the world.
"They should avoid personal contact with wild birds and live poultry and clean their hands thoroughly after coming into contact with them," a department spokesman said.
Hong Kong was the scene of the world's first reported major bird flu outbreak among humans in 1997, when six people died of the then unknown mutation of the avian flu virus. Millions of poultry were culled.
A renewed outbreak in 2003 among poultry flocks in Asia triggered a wave of infections worldwide.
However the southern Chinese territory has remained relatively free of bird flu since early 2003 despite fears that the virus could cross the border from mainland China in imported poultry.
The Hong Kong government has stepped up border checks while local farmers, pet traders and owners have been urged to take precautionary measures and avoid contact with wild birds.
Patrols around markets have also been increased.
A curb on so-called backyard farming was enacted last year following the discovery of eight birds and chickens that had died of the H5N1 virus.
Experts fear the virus could mutate into a strain that could be transmitted easily among humans, causing a global pandemic that could kill millions of people.
- AFP /ls
|
