Regarding the recent outbreaks of avian flu and the measures taken to control the spread of the disease, that is, the closure of markets for cleaning and slaughter of birds, it is worth looking at some measures for improving the environmental hygiene of markets.
Traditionally, wet markets in Hong Kong have tiled floors and walls. However, in many countries tiled surfaces are recognised as being inadequate for areas where high levels of cleanliness are required. Voids beneath tiles, permeable joint material and cracks are all places where bacteria can develop unchecked. Often, unglazed tiles are used because they are less slippery when wet, but due to their permeability they also may support bacterial growth. Therefore, high standards of materials, workmanship and maintenance are required for hygienic tiled surfaces.
There is a better alternative - modern seamless, impermeable, resin-based flooring and wall-coating systems. Such systems are hard-wearing, can be installed with slip-resistant surfaces, can be coloured to suit the environment and are extremely easy to maintain and keep clean.
In places such as Dubai, and other locations around the world, commercial kitchens and food preparation areas are required by law to have seamless wall and floor coatings. Given the high-profile nature of the avian flu problem, it would be reasonable to adopt the highest standards of environmental hygiene for our markets and commercial food preparation areas.
The major benefits would be to eliminate places where bacteria can grow and significantly reduce the amount of manpower and time required for effective cleaning to take place. Currently, poultry markets are closed for one full day per month for cleaning.
The modern systems described above can be effectively cleaned in a few hours. An added benefit would be to improve the conditions for customers and assist wet markets to better challenge the increasing dominance of major supermarket chains (at least one of which has started to adopt these systems).