Flu fighter: Secretary for Food & Health Dr York Chow warns the public to be vigilant after upgrading Hong Kong's avian flu alert status to 'serious'.

Anti-avian influenza measures have been implemented following the confirmation 60 chickens on a Yuen Long farm died from the H5 virus.

Secretary for Food & Health Dr York Chow elevated the avian flu alert status to 'serious' today after the confirmation of the positive test results on the farm's birds which died yesterday.

The Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department has declared the affected facility as the index farm. All 80,000 chickens within a 3km radius will be culled. Another 10,000-plus chickens from the area which have been taken to Cheung Sha Wan Wholesale Market will also be killed.

The Government has banned the export of chickens from all Hong Kong farms and suspended all poultry imports for 21 days. The Food & Environmental Hygiene Department will clean retail areas and wholesale markets to prevent the virus from spreading. The Centre for Health Protection will examine the farm's owners and staff who have not yet developed symptoms.

The Yuen Long Park Aviary Pagoda located near the farm has been closed. Veterinary officers are also monitoring the health of 1,500 birds kept in aviaries in Hong Kong Park, the Zoological & Botanical Gardens, Kowloon Park and Yuen Long Park.

Dr Chow said as Hong Kong is facing a new avian flu alert the public should be more vigilant against the virus, calling on people to ensure good personal and environmental hygiene.

Hong Kong last had an outbreak on a farm in February 2003, showing the Government's prevention measures have generally been working well, he said. However, Dr Chow added he is very concerned about the factors leading to this new outbreak as the first chickens to die were those which had not been vaccinated. The incident is being investigated.