Hong Kong is keeping a close watch on the bird flu situation and will recommend measures to collaborate with health agencies across the region in the prevention and control of the disease, according to a local government report released yesterday.
York Chow, secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, said authorities were concerned about the situation in neighboring regions and are stepping up efforts to help prevent further outbreaks. Chow´s remarks came as he prepared to leave for Bangkok for an avian flu session sponsored by the World Health Organization and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Plus Three Member States.
"As the mortality rate is as high as 70 percent, we are worried that the virus will re-sort itself and transfer from animals to humans or even among humans," said Chow.
"We are working on a contingency plan to tackle these concerns."
To prevent avian flu outbreaks, Hong Kong hopes to cap the number of live chickens in the market at a more manageable level.
"We have to understand that most of our food comes from overseas, across the border from China´s mainland and also from other areas," Chow said. "So we are adopting a feed-to-table concept, looking at the where the food comes from and the whole process of transporting it to Hong Kong."
Hong Kong must also watch out for migratory birds that may carry the disease and transfer the virus to domestic flocks, the official said.
And health officials "must be mindful that some of the food does not come into Hong Kong through the usual public channel," he added.