Migration patterns affected as chill could linger for months
Migratory birds passing through Hong Kong because of chilly weather on the mainland could increase the risk of bird flu in the city, experts have warned.
Persistent cold weather in the city could also heighten the risk for more flu-like illnesses. So far this winter, six birds have been confirmed to have died of the H5N1 influenza virus and two others are being tested. The figures compare with 17 birds infected from January to March last year.
A dead Oriental magpie robin found with H5 on Sunday at the wholesale poultry market in Cheung Sha Wan prompted a thorough cleansing and disinfection there yesterday.
Meanwhile, private doctors and government outpatient clinics had reported they detected an increase of influenza-like illnesses in the community in the three weeks to February 2, a consultant with the Centre for Health Protection, Chuang Shuk-kwan, said.
Infectious-disease specialist Lo Wing-lok said: 'Because the winter was mild last year, perhaps birds moved north. Now with the mainland so cold, it could force the birds to delay their journeys north.'
As a result, the city had seen more migratory birds with bird flu, increasing the risk to resident birds and then to poultry, he said. 'If poultry is infected, the risk to the human population will escalate,' Dr Lo said. 'We must try our best to prevent this from occurring.'