CFS urges Hong Kong traders to suspend poultry imports from Denmark
The outbreak was announced by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), which said up to 20,900 ducks were susceptible to the disease in the area.
To prevent any spread of the disease, all 20,900 ducks were killed and disposed of. World Organisation for Animal Health added that the source of outbreak or origin of infection was unknown.
The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration has established a restricted zone of 1km around the holding and has implemented the necessary measures in accordance with the Council Directive 2005/94/EC.
The CFS said it would monitor the situation closely and has contacted the Danish authorities.
“The CFS has contacted the Danish authorities over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the OIE on avian influenza outbreaks,” the spokesman said. “Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation.”
Last month, the Hong Kong Government warned poultry farmers to strengthen precautionary and biosecurity measures against avian influenza after laboratory tests confirmed a positive reading of the virus in a crested myna carcase found in Kun Lang Wait, Fanling.
The disease has also hit other markets in the Middle East recently, with Saudi Arabia reporting two cases of H5N8 avian influenza in the Kharj Governorate region.
According to the CFS, Hong Kong imported around 388 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and 280,000 poultry eggs from Denmark in the first three months of this year.
