Hong Kong conservation authorities announced here Saturday that seven dead birds recently found in the territory had been confirmed to be H5N1 positive after a series of laboratory tests.

    The seven bird carcasses included four chickens, one duck, a grey heron, a peregrine falcon found in different parts of Hong Kong, said a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government.

    AFCD staff inspected 82 villages in Hong Kong on Saturday and no unauthorized keeping of poultry has been observed.

    The spokesman reminded the public to observe good personal hygiene and avoid contact with wild birds or live poultry.