Press Releases

Oriental Magpie Robin tests H5N1 positive
Thursday, January 19, 2006

An Oriental Magpie Robin found dead in Kam Shan Tsuen, Tai Po is confirmed to be H5N1 positive following a series of laboratory tests, a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (January 19).

The spokesman stressed that the department would maintain frequent inspections on poultry farms to ensure that proper precautions against avian influenza had been implemented.

The department had inspected the eight chicken farms within five kilometres of where the Oriental Magpie Robin was found.

"We will continue to monitor the poultry farms closely. There is no abnormal mortality and the chickens show no symptoms of avian influenza," he said.

The bird was collected by AFCD staff on January 10 upon a public referral.

People are reminded to observe good personal hygiene. They should avoid personal contact with wild birds and live poultry and clean their hands thoroughly after coming into contact with them.

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