Bird owners should not kiss their pets, which should also be kept away from food to be eaten by people, the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department says.

It urged people to observe good personal hygiene, washing their hands thoroughly after having contact with birds.

Inspections of pet bird stalls are conducted regularly to ensure precautions against avian flu. More than 220 swab samples are collected for tests each month. All have been negative.

Over the past nine months, more than 200 tests have also been done on samples taken from imported pet birds and none contained avian flu viruses.

To import birds, traders have to obtain a department permit. The birds undergo 14 days quarantine before export and must be accompanied by health certificates. Consignments are also tested on arrival in Hong Kong. A total of 120 consignments have been imported this year. Six were seized and destroyed as they did not have health certificates.

Bird traders are required to wear gloves when handling droppings. The department called on traders to fully comply with licence conditions or have their licences revoked.