Press Releases
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No increase in foot-and-mouth disease in local farms The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (February 8) 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. AFCD's Assistant Director (Inspection and Quarantine) Dr Leslie Sims said that FMD was a common viral disease occurring in pigs in the region including Hong Kong and that it was not a public health hazard. He stressed that the transmission of FMD of pigs to human beings through direct contact was extremely rare. The Department of Health has not received any report of such human infections of FMD. "The disease does occur in pigs in Hong Kong during the winter months. Farmers control the disease using vaccination," Dr Sims said. Under the Public Health (Animals and Birds) Ordinance, animal or bird keepers have an obligation to report any occurrence of diseases amongst their animals. Dr Sims called on farmers to report to the AFCD, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department or the Police as soon as possible if their animals were infected. He also reminded pig farmers to take precaution against FMD and have their pigs vaccinated. "Most pig farmers in Hong Kong vaccinate their pigs. It is in their best interests to do so as pigs may contract the disease and die if they are not adequately vaccinated. "The AFCD works closely with international experts to find out the best ways to protect pigs from FMD. We have distributed the vaccination protocol to all pig farmers before winter so that they can step up their preparation before the usual peak season of the disease," Dr Sims said. He said that the AFCD would provide farmers with veterinary diagnostic services. He reminded farmers to keep their farms clean and that the department would continue to follow up on all infected livestock cases. |
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