In check: Deputy Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Eddy Chan (centre) says there is no need to ban all chicken imports from Guangdong as there is no evidence the birds have been infected with avian influenza.

There is no need to ban all chicken imports from Guangdong as there is no evidence the birds have been infected with avian influenza.

This was the message today from Deputy Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Eddy Chan, who added that the Government will closely monitor the situation to protect public health.

Mr Chan said no signs of abnormality have been detected in Mainland poultry imports so far and the Government has already stepped up quarantine and random checks. The notification mechanism of poultry diseases between Hong Kong and the Mainland has been enhanced.

He said that from January 15, all chickens from the Mainland have been vaccinated against the disease. As all poultry is from approved farms, a higher degree of quality can be maintained.

"However, we must remain vigilant," he said.

Responding to a question on whether imported ducks and geese need to be vaccinated, Mr Chan said that as they are natural carriers of the virus, the benefit of vaccinations is in doubt.

He said human contact with these birds has been greatly reduced as ducks and geese imported to Hong Kong are now being centrally slaughtered, minimising the chance of human infection.

Government departments will further enhance preventive measures, and Mr Chan urged poultry stall operators to comply with hygiene requirements to guard against avian flu.

The enhanced preventive measures include:

* stepped up monitoring of traveller and poultry health at all boundary control points;

* strengthened inspections of market poultry stalls;

* close monitoring of chicken health at local farms, enhanced surveillance of wild birds and fowl at recreational parks, increased health checks for the birds and stepped up inspections of pet shops;

* influenza virus tests for patients to check for avian flu; and,

* intensified publicity on avian flu prevention to raise public awareness.

Hong Kong and the Mainland's Ministry of Agriculture have agreed to each assign a liaison person to facilitate speedy exchange of information on infectious diseases in poultry and animals.

Speaking after the ministerial meeting in Bangkok on the current poultry disease situation, Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong said the arrangement was agreed during his meeting with Vice Minister of Agriculture Qi Jingfa today.

Dr Yeoh said Mainland authorities are very concerned at the occurrence of the H5N1 avian influenza in Guangxi and will update Hong Kong on the latest situation of the disease as soon as practicable.

At the meeting, Dr Yeoh discussed Hong Kong's preventive programme against avian flu.

Ministers and senior officials from 11 countries, the European Union, the World Health Organisation, the Food & Agricultural Organisation and the Office International des Epizooties attended the meeting.