The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced on February 22 that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza in Viru-Nigula Parish of Lääne-Viru County in Estonia, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products from the above-mentioned area with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

A CFS spokesman said that Hong Kong has currently established a protocol with Estonia for the import of poultry meat but not for poultry eggs. According to the Census and Statistics Department, no poultry meat was imported from Estonia last year.

"The CFS has contacted the Estonian authorities over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the OIE 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.

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