Livelihoods on the edge after bird flu discovery sparks city-wide suspension of live poultry trading
Positive test for H7N9 bird flu virus found in bird’s faecal sample, leading to halt in sales and supply
Trading in live poultry has been suspended city-wide after the potentially deadly H7N9 bird flu virus was found in a bird’s faecal sample, leaving vendors and shoppers who relied on live chicken devastated.
A sample of faecal droppings collected from a stall in Tuen Mun’s Yan Oi Market on May 16 tested positive for the virus, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said on Sunday.
Supply and trading of all live poultry – both imported and local – has been suspended in the city during follow-up investigations to trace the source of the virus.
The 29 local chicken farms would be inspected by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department to check the condition of their chickens, health minister Dr Ko Wing-man said.
A cross-departmental meeting was due to be held on Monday concerning investigations conducted over the weekend into the incident.
“Based on the information gathered, we hope to make a risk assessment – whether we need to cull all chickens in the markets, and to see how long we have to suspend supply,” Ko said.