Press Releases

No increase in Foot and Mouth Disease in farms in HK
Wednesday, February 28, 2001

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (February 28) that there was no evidence to suggest that Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in Hong Kong was more serious this year than in previous years.

Assistant Director (Agriculture, Quarantine and Inspection) of AFCD, Dr. Leslie Sims, said that FMD is an animal disease highly contagious in pigs, cattle and sheep and is transmitted from pigs to pigs through direct contact and air. Affected animals develop fever, blisters in their mouth and on their feet. The disease in young animals may be fatal.

"The disease does occur in pigs in Hong Kong during the winter months and is controlled using vaccination."

According to the Department of Health (DH), the Foot and Mouth Disease is not a public health hazard and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) confirmed that food-borne transmission is extremely unlikely.

"As the virus is easily killed by cooking, consumption of pork poses no risk to public health. There is no cause for public alarm."

Dr Sims also pointed out that transmission of FMD of pigs to human beings through contacts is extremely unlikely. The DH had received no report of such human infections of FMD.

As a good hygiene practice,Dr. Sims called upon members of the public to observe proper food and personal hygiene while preparing food.

On the collection of animal carcasses, the FEHD had asked the contractor to step up collection of pig carcasses especially at locations other than the designated collection points.

In addition, while FEHD was on the alert of the disease during inspection at the slaughterhouse, the department also urges farmers to properly dispose of dead animals including pigs at designated collection points.