Press Releases

Vaccination programme expanded to more farms
Tuesday, January 7, 2003

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) decided to expand a vaccination programme to nine farms in Pat Heung today (January 7) in a bid to control the spread of avian influenza.

AFCD inspection staff found some 560 dead chickens at a farm in Pat Heung since yesterday. The farm has been quarantined after four samples tested positive for H5 virus.

"As a precautionary measure, we shall expand the avian influenza vaccination programme to cover eight chicken farms close to the quarantined farm today.

"In addition, about 40,000 chickens in six of the nine sheds at the quarantined farm did not show symptoms of avian influenza during inspection this morning. The farmer will start vaccinating these chickens today in an attempt to contain the spread of the disease.

"Some 10,000 chickens in the three sheds where dead chickens were found have been put under close observation. We are still in discussion with the operator of the farm with regard to the surrender of these chickens for proper disposal," a spokesman for the AFCD said.

The AFCD inspected 40 chicken farms today and there has been no unusual mortality. The farms close to the quarantined farm are being closely monitored. The department will also step up enforcement of biosecurity measures in these farms.

"We are on full alert and will take appropriate actions as and when required," the spokesman said.