Source: Xinhua
04-16-2009 16:44
Special Report: Tech MaxHONG KONG, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong Secretary for Food and Health York Chow Wednesday announced the scale-down of the city's response level for avian influenza from "serious" to "alert".
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| Hong Kong Secretary for Food and Health York Chow Wednesday announced the scale-down of the city's response level for avian influenza from "serious" to "alert".(File photo) |
The government had raised the response level to "serious" after the detection of the H5 avian influenza virus among chickens in a farm located in Yuen Long, the New Territories on Dec. 9, 2008.
The Food and Health Bureau later set up an investigation group on epidemiological study to identify the possible channel for the introduction of the virus to the farm. Ban on the farm was lifted last week as it has improved its biosecurity measures as suggested by the investigation group.
Besides, tests of samples collected from chickens at farms, the wholesale market and retail outlets in Hong Kong since Dec. 10 last year have all been negative for the H5 virus.
"The government has decided to scale down the response level after taking into account the above factors and the prevailing risk of avian influenza," Chow said.
He appealed to the public to remain vigilant and pay attention to personal and environmental hygiene to safeguard against avian influenza.
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Editor:Yang Jie
