Wild Birds Confirmed Positive for H5N1 Virus

HONG KONG - A spokesman for the Agriculture,
Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) 


said 


today (6 January) that two dead black-headed 


gulls found in Tuen Mun and Lantau were 


confirmed to be H5N1 positive after a series of 


laboratory tests.


The first gull was collected at EcoPark, 133 Lung Mun

 Road, Tuen Mun, on 30 December, 2011,


 while the second gull was found at a drain near Sha


 Lo Wan Soccer Pitch, Lantau, on 1 January.


The black-headed gull is a common winter visitor.

The AFCD will continue to conduct inspections of


 poultry farms to ensure that proper precautions


against avian influenza have been implemented.

The spokesman reminded people to observe good


personal hygiene.

"They should avoid personal contact with wild birds


 or live poultry and clean their hand


 thoroughly after coming into contact with them," he said