Replies to LegCo questions
LCQ6: Monitoring the health of migratory birds
Following is a question by the Hon Vincent Fang and a reply by the Secretary for
Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, in the Legislative Council today (July
6):
Question:
In the past few months, there have been cases in which wild birds and poultry in
farms in the Mainland and some Southeast Asian countries collectively died of
avian flu. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the approximate number of migratory birds staying at or passing by the
Mai Po Nature Reserve each year and the places from which the birds mainly come;
(b) how the Administration monitors the health of the migratory birds and how it
can tell whether they carry avian flu virus; and
(c) of the measures taken to prevent the migratory birds from passing avian flu
virus to visitors at the Mai Po Nature Reserve and the Hong Kong Wetland Park,
and to the poultry kept in farms?
Reply:
Madam President:
(a) At present, some 100,000 migratory birds winter at or pass through Mai Po
every year, of which most are waterbirds. Migratory waterbirds may be divided
into three types:
Winter visitors: These are mainly ducks, gulls, cormorants and egrets. They
breed in the Russian Far East and then head south to spend the winter along the
coast of China (including Mai Po). They usually arrive in Hong Kong in late
October and fly back north in next February or March.
Passage migrants: They are mainly waders such as sandpipers and plovers, which
breed mostly in Russian Far East as well as northern China before flying south
to winter in Southeast Asia and Australia. In spring (between late March and
May), some 20,000 to 30,000 waders fly north enroute Mai Po for breeding. In
autumn (between July and September), they also pass through Mai Po on their
flight to the south to their winter habitat.
Summer visitors: Only a small number of waterbirds migrate to Hong Kong in
summer to breed. One such example is Yellow Bittern which comes to Hong Kong to
breed between April and September.
(b) At present, staff of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD)
monitors the wild birds at Mai Po Nature Reserve to look out for unusual signs
every day. When any dead, sick or injured bird is found, it would be sent to
laboratory for testing immediately. During winter, AFCD would collect samples of
wild bird droppings at the gathering places of wild birds to test for H5 and
other highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses every day. As for summer
when there is a significant drop in wild bird population, AFCD would collect
samples as and when appropriate. In addition, the University of Hong Kong also
regularly collects wild bird droppings at Mai Po Nature Reserve and ecological
compensation area of KCRC's Sheung Shui to Lok Ma Chau Spur Line at Lok Ma Chau
for the above tests.
(c) Nearly 100,000 migratory wild birds pass through Hong Kong on their
migration between north and south. Whilst most migratory waterbirds that winter
in Hong Kong congregate at the mudflats at Deep Bay, other migratory birds
choose to make their brief stopover at less populated rural areas to rest and
feed. Therefore there is little chance for people to come in close contact with
migratory waterbirds and birds in their daily lives. In fact, none of the wild
bird samples taken from Mai Po Nature Reserve and the Wetland Park under the
current wild bird surveillance programme has tested positive for H5 or other
HPAI viruses.
To prevent migratory birds that may harbour avian influenza viruses from
spreading the virus in poultry farms, all local poultry farms have installed
bird-proof facilities and local poultry has been vaccinated to reduce the risk
of contracting avian influenza viruses from migratory birds.
To prevent humans from contracting avian influenza, the Government has focused
on public education. During the annual peak season for migratory birds, the AFCD
would keep a close eye on the migratory birds congregating in Hong Kong and step
up publicity and education efforts, such as putting up posters and notices at
the entrance and visitors centres of Mai Po and Hong Kong Wetland Park and to
remind people to avoid direct contact with wild birds, their feathers and
droppings. On the webpage about prevention of avian influenza, people are also
advised to avoid contact with birds and poultry as well as their droppings;
avoid going to bird parks and farms; and refrain from feeding pigeons in parks,
etc. With these measures of the Government and the cooperation of the public,
the risk of avian influenza spread by migratory birds and being contracted by
humans may be minimized.
Ends/Wednesday, July 6, 2005
Issued at HKT 15:06
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