VICTORIA: The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (December 17) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province, Vietnam, it has banned the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the province with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.
At present, the Centre has established a protocol with Vietnam for imports of salted duck eggs but not for poultry meat. Due to the development of outbreaks in Vietnam, imports of salted duck eggs from designated egg processing plants in all infected regions have also been suspended.
“The CFS has contacted the Vietnamese authorities over the issue 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.
