Flu-free: Sample tests of chickens have been conducted to ensure no presence of the H5 avian influenza virus.

Some 40,000 chickens will be sent from 18 local farms to the Cheung Sha Wan Temporary Wholesale Poultry Market for sale Friday.

The Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department said following the poultry outlet rest day today, local farmers are allowed to send their chickens to the wholesale market tonight.

A total of 18 local farms are allowed to send their chickens to the wholesale market. Sample tests of the chickens have been conducted to ensure no presence of the H5 avian influenza virus.

The wholesale market has already been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Trading at the wholesale market will resume early Friday morning. Supply of local chickens in retail outlets will resume afterwards.

The number of chickens to be sold on Saturday will be determined later after consideration of the sale of chickens tomorrow.

1,000 dead chickens collected

The department's Assistant Director Lai Ching-wai said 1,000 dead chickens have been collected from 31 farms today.

About 550 came from a farm with 13,000 chickens. The department is aware of chicken deaths in the farm since February 1, and samples were taken for testing, despite a fall in the rate of deaths recently. They tested negative for avian influenza, Mr Lai said.

The dead chickens were all small chicks and probably died of Newcastle Disease. The department will help the farmer control the disease.

More samples were taken today for avian flu tests. The farm did not send any chickens to the wholesale market today. The department will continue to closely monitor the situation.