Press Releases
|
AFCD has not isolated avian influenza virus from chicken samples The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) confirmed that it has not isolated any avian influenza viruses from the chicken farm in Yuen Long. All restrictions on the farm have now been lifted. AFCD Assistant Director (Agriculture, Quarantine & Inspection) Dr Liu Kwei-kin said today (November 20) that after samples collected from the chicken farm on October 19 gave suspicious positive results on the avian influenza H5 blood test, AFCD had investigated the case vigorously together with the University of Hong Kong. A total of 1,700 samples were cultured for the virus and 3,000 blood tests on chickens from this farm were also performed. "We had cultured a large number of samples collected from the farm, as well as from all age groups of the chickens on the farm and had not isolated any H5 avian influenza viruses. Throughout the investigation, birds on the farm remained healthy and there has been no unusual mortality in the flock," Dr Liu stressed. "The presence of antibodies in these chickens suggests a past exposure to the H5 virus. But this virus caused no harm to the chickens and has failed to establish itself on the farm. It is totally different from the 1997 H5N1 avian influenza virus." He concluded that chickens on the farm do not pose any avian influenza risk to the public and are safe for the markets. "The case demonstrates the need to maintain close surveillance on both local farms and imported birds for avian influenza viruses. We will continue to test all consignments of local poultry prior to entering the market," Dr Liu said. He also noted that blood testing conducted by AFCD on samples from all other poultry farms in Hong Kong showed there was no evidence of H5 infection. "Local chickens are healthy and AFCD will continue to take steps to prevent the virus from establishing in Hong Kong," he added. |
||
 |
||
|
||
|
