After an avian influenza case is confirmed in a person, the Mainland live poultry supply general suspension period will last for 14 days, cut from 21, the Health, Welfare & Food Bureau says.

The Centre for Health Protection Scientific Committee on Emerging & Zoonotic Diseases discussed the issue at a meeting yesterday afternoon. Members agreed if human bird flu cases are detected in Guangdong again and no bird flu outbreak is seen in the poultry population, the general suspension period of Mainland live poultry supply can be revised to 14 days.

The bureau previously imposed a 21-day suspension period after a human bird flu case is found in Guangdong. This practice drew reference from the World Organisation for Animal Health's Terrestrial Animal Health Code in which 21 days referred to the incubation period if bird flu is found among poultry.

The scientific committee has considered several factors, including epidemiology, incubation period and mode of transmission among people and poultry, empirical data from investigation of Guangdong human cases and the code.

Each case to be studied on individual basis

The bureau also agreed with the scientific committee that while a general 14-day suspension following the confirmation of a human case can be set for observation purposes, it will be necessary to examine each case on an individual basis for epidemiological and exposure history, as well as evidence of an abnormal situation in poultry farms when deciding whether to extend the suspension.

If bird flu is detected in poultry farms supplying Hong Kong, the 14-day suspension period will not be applied as the bureau will need more time to ensure the situation is under control prior to the resumption of import of Mainland live poultry.