HONG KONG: Hong Kong will cull about 20,000 chickens after discovering the H7N9 avian influenza virus in a batch of poultry imported from mainland China, authorities said yesterday.
The positive reading came just days after the southern Chinese city introduced widespread testing of imported live poultry following growing public concern over the safety of imports, particularly from the mainland.
Two people have died from the human form of the virus in Hong Kong since the first infection was reported in December.
On Friday, the city introduced a serological test for H7 avian influenza in poultry and discovered a batch that tested positive.
“A government department has confirmed that the sample from the chicken imported from the mainland tested positive for H7N9 avian influenza virus,” Hong Kong Health Minister Ko Wing-man said.
“All poultry in the wholesale market will be destroyed tomorrow morning... the total number of chickens concerned amounts to 20,000,” Ko said, declaring the market an “infected place”.
The decision comes less than a week before Chinese New Year, which starts on Friday, when chicken is a popular dish at banquets and family gatherings. AFP
