Visitors to Mai Po Nature Reserve are already taking measures to protect themselves against bird flu.
A group of about 20 Form Five students from SKH Li Fook Hing Secondary School armed themselves with face masks during a geography trip to the reserve yesterday.
Reserve officials are also taking precautionary measures. A notice on the door of the reception area lists eight points for visitors to follow to ensure personal health and public hygiene. There are four locations inside the reserve offering clean water for washing of hands.
The reserve's manager, Lew Young, said antiseptic tissues were also available to visitors.
Student Wong Hoi-shan admitted being worried when told her class was to visit the reserve.
'I've read many reports on bird flu and they are frightening,' she said. 'We had something sprayed on us at the entrance to prevent mosquitoes biting us. We all had to bring face masks, and the timid students, like me, put them on.'