The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has issued a ban on import of poultry and poultry products from Lower Saxony, Germany over fears of an outbreak of low-pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza.
The decision comes after the agency received a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) about an outbreak of low-pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza on two turkey farms.
Commenting on the ban CFS spokesman said that about 10 000 tons of frozen and chilled poultry meat, as well as about 2.8 million poultry eggs, were imported into Hong Kong from Germany in 2012.
"We have contacted the German authorities over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the OIE on the avian influenza outbreaks in the country. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman added.
Bird flu can lead to fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, conjunctivitis, and, in severe cases, breathing problems and pneumonia.
