Experts have warned that the recently discovered H9N2 virus is much more sophisticated than the killer bird flu virus, and that Hong Kong may be at risk from this new type of influenza.
A coroner suggested the Government ban the sale of live poultry to prevent another avian flu outbreak, but chicken sellers worried it would hurt their businesses.
The H5N1 outbreak in 1997 killed five people.
Coroner Paul Kelly said the proposed measure would be useful in dealing with the problem. He said all water birds should be sold wholesale and slaughtered at Western Poultry Market. Geese and ducks - carriers of H5N1 - should be segre gated from other poultry at all levels from production, wholesale and distribution to retail.
'This will significantly minimise the risk of humans contracting the disease from live poultry and enhance the standard of environmental hygiene.' Department of Health consultant doctor Mak Kwok-hang said a central abattoir for poultry would improve food and environmental hygiene conditions, but the department should also take note of the views of the public and those in the trade.
At present, the slaughtering of all water birds, including geese and ducks, is done at the Western Wholesale Market, but live chickens are sold and killed at individual markets.
The new strain of bird flu could infect many kinds of poultry.