Hong Kong confirms dead falcon had avian flu -official |
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Thu, 25 Jan 2007 14:07
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HONG KONG (XFN-ASIA) - A dead falcon was infected with the milder H5 form of bird flu, an agricultural official said, citing initial test results.If confirmed, the bird will be the sixth discovered with the virus this month in a city which is already on high alert for the deadly disease.Further tests will now be carried out on the peregrine falcon, which died soon after being found in Tsuen Wan on Monday.The five other birds tested positive for the more dangerous H5N1 strain.An agriculture department spokesman reiterated calls for the public to remain vigilant about the dangers posed by avian flu.'They (the public) should avoid personal contact with wild birds and live poultry and wash their hands thoroughly after coming into contact with them,' he said.Authorities have stepped up checks at the border with China, where flu-infected birds were smuggled in last year, sparking the first outbreak of H5N1 among local birds in years.afp/km
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Hong Kong confirms H5N1strain found in dead bird 