Press Releases
SHWF inspects Yuen Po Street Bird Garden (with photos)
The Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, visited pet bird
stalls in the Yuen Po Street Bird Garden this morning (November 1) to get a
better idea of the precautionary measures put in place to guard against avian
influenza.
Dr Chow was met by the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Mr
Thomas Chan, and briefed by Veterinary Officer Dr Kenny Ho Chin-ho on measures
taken since the recent outbreak of bird flu among poultry and migratory birds in
neigbouring areas.
Dr Chow took the opportunity to meet with pet bird traders and shared their
concerns that the recent bird flu threat had affected their trade.
He noted that swab samples collected from local pet bird stalls, including those
from the bird garden, for testing of the bird flu viruses had so far been all
clear.
The recent case involving the infection of a parrot by other imported birds in
the United Kingdom underscored the need for higher surveillance of pet birds in
Hong Kong, he said, adding that the authority would not tolerate any undeclared
import of pet birds.
Dr Chow stressed that bird traders and workers had an important part to play in
the overall efforts in guarding against the disease.
They should wear gloves when cleaning bird cages and bird droppings, attend more
diligently to personal hygiene, such as washing hands after each of the
procedures, and observe the licensing requirements which listed maintaining a
clean and sanitary condition for housing the birds, he said.
Ends/Tuesday, November 1, 2005
Issued at HKT 17:03
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(Webcast)