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Hong Kong and Mainland study measures to further enhance prevention and control of avian influenza H7

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Hong Kong will continue to communicate with the State General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) and experts of Guangdong, Macao, Shenzhen and Zhuhai to study enhanced monitoring measures against avian influenza H7N9, as the risk of the disease has not yet been eliminated and should not be treated lightly. Continuous assessment of the risk and close surveillance of the disease are necessary.

The above remarks were made by the Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, when addressing the opening ceremony of the 2013 Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macao, Shenzhen, Zhuhai Health, Animal and Plant Quarantine and Food Safety Control Meeting in Shenzhen today (November 7).

"Since the confirmation of human cases of avian influenza H7N9 on the Mainland early this year, we have been maintaining close contact with the AQSIQ. The AQSIQ has kept us abreast of the latest development of the disease and the corresponding preventive and control measures adopted with regard to health inspection and quarantine as well as safety of live poultry and poultry products supplied to Hong Kong.

"As regards live poultry and poultry products supplied to Hong Kong, the relevant Mainland authorities have already taken a series of measures, including enhancing the surveillance measures, increasing the sampling ratio and the frequency of farm inspections, and introducing rapid test for avian influenza H7 antigen and antibodies. These measures help ensure the safety of live poultry and poultry products supplied to Hong Kong, fortify the public's confidence in consuming imported live chickens, and safeguard public and animal health," Dr Ko said.

Dr Ko added that experts from Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macao, Shenzhen and Zhuhai will discuss and study other measures to strengthen the monitoring of avian influenza H7 at the meeting. He hoped the experts could reach a consensus soon.

After the opening ceremony, Dr Ko witnessed the signing of an action plan on facilitation of inspection and quarantine clearance by representatives of the five places. The action plan reaffirms and strengthens exchange and co-operation in areas including health inspection and quarantine issues, animal and plant quarantine, food safety control and clearance facilitation.

The 2013 Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macao, Shenzhen, Zhuhai Health, Animal and Plant Quarantine and Food Safety Control Meeting is held today and tomorrow, covering topics including health inspection and quarantine; animals, foods of animal origin, plants and foods of plant origin supplied to Hong Kong and Macao from the Mainland; and food safety.

Other representatives of the Hong Kong delegation attending the meeting include the Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Food), Mrs Marion Lai; the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation, Mr Alan Wong; and the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene, Mr Clement Leung.

Ends/Thursday, November 7, 2013
Issued at HKT 20:35

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12 Apr 2019