The Government will consult the public within a few weeks on whether and when we should bring back live birds to Hong Kong, Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong said.

He added that health experts expect the avian flu outbreak in the region to continue for some time.

The public will also be consulted on measures for local poultry farms as the present stock of birds in local farms will only last about two or three months.

Local chicken stock seen drying up soon 

Dr Yeoh added that hatch eggs currently come from the Mainland and if we don't bring in any live birds, the local stock will soon dry up.

The Government has also worked out contingency measures that the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department and the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department should take if avian flu occurs in the bird population.

Dr Yeoh was speaking during a media session after attending the opening ceremony of Yan Chai Chinese Medicine Clinic cum Research Centre today.

Contingency plans consider all scenarios

He said said apart from stepping up surveillance of avian flu, the Government has worked out contingency plans based on different scenarios concerning the disease.

These potential scenarios include:

* a case of avian influenza in people either imported or local;

* a more efficient person to person spread;

* a large outbreak in Hong Kong; and

* a prolonged period of avian flu in the region.