Feral pigeons tested negative for H5 virus
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Preliminary testing of dead feral pigeons collected at the junction of
Leighton Road and Wong Nai Chung Road found that none of them carried
the H5 virus, a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation
Department (AFCD) said today (March 14).
Eight dead pigeons were collected by AFCD staff yesterday following a
public referral. Only four of them were suitable for testing.
"The chance of pigeons transmitting the virus is considered relatively
low according to overseas experiences," the spokesman said.
He urged the public to observe good personal hygiene and avoid contact
with wild birds and their droppings.
"Feeding of wild birds is highly undesirable. It will change their
eating habits, attracting them to gather at certain locations and creating
environmental nuisance," he added.
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