The recent poultry ban is needed to protect the health of the public, poultry keepers, their families and neighbours, the Health, Welfare & Food Bureau says.

In response to a villager's decision to file a judicial review application against legislative amendments banning backyard poultry, the bureau said as no biosecurity arrangements or systematic vaccination could be instituted, backyard poultry is susceptible to cross infection by wild birds or migratory birds carrying the H5N1 virus.

It said avian influenza is a global issue warranting swift action on every government to take pre-emptive action to stop the possible occurrence of human cases, which not only have a high fatality rate but also have adverse effects on the whole economy.

According to the World Health Organisation, the mortality rate for humans infected with avian influenza is higher than 50%.

The bureau reiterated that the Government did not want to see members of the public being exposed to the risk of avian influenza infection brought by backyard poultry.