The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (October 4) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H7N6 avian influenza in Kgetlengrivier Local Municipality of North West Province, Emalahleni Local Municipality of Mpumalanga Province and Modimolle-Mookgophong Local Municipality of Limpopo Province in South Africa, and a notification from the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Guldborgsund Municipality in Denmark, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the above-mentioned areas with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

A CFS spokesman said that Hong Kong has currently established a protocol with South Africa for the import of poultry meat but not for poultry eggs. According to the Census and Statistics Department, no poultry meat was imported into Hong Kong from South Africa in the first six months of this year. Moreover, Hong Kong imported about 530 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Denmark in the first six months of this year.

"The CFS has contacted the South African and Danish authorities over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said.