H5N1 avian influenza is flaring up again in parts of Africa, and the Hong Kong government has responded with a poultry ban.
Hong Kong's Centre for Food Safety of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced last week that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in various areas of Cote d'Ivoire, Hong Kong has banned the import of poultry meat and products including poultry eggs from the country with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.
A CFS spokesman said Hong Kong has not established any protocol with Cote d'Ivoire for importation of poultry meat and eggs. There is no import of such commodities from Cote d'Ivoire.
"The CFS has contacted the Cote d'Ivoire authorities over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the OIE on avian influenza outbreaks in the country. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said.
