A preliminary testing of a dead house crow found in Hong Kong's Shek Kip Mei area has tested positive for the H5 avian influenza virus, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government said Saturday.

The dead bird was found and collected at a planter next to a petrol filling station, outside Tai Hang Tung Recreation Ground on March 15.

The AFCD said further confirmatory tests are being conducted and cleansing and disinfection have been stepped up at the venue, adding that there are no poultry farms within three kilometers of where the dead bird was found.

In view of the case, the AFCD has phoned poultry farmers to remind them to strengthen precautionary and biosecurity measures against avian influenza. Letters have been issued to farmers, pet bird shop owners and license holders of pet poultry and racing pigeons reminding them that proper precautions must be taken.