H5N1 virus was found in a faecal sample collected from a pet bird shop in the Bird Garden in Mong Kok, Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said Saturday.
As a precautionary measure, AFCD has temporarily closed the shop in question and removed all its birds, to the Department's animal management center for close observation and further testing, but no other positive cases were detected.
All pet bird stalls in the Bird Garden are being closely monitored for avian influenza among the flocks. So far nothing abnormal has been detected, according to the department.
In response to the incident, AFCD has required all pet bird shop operators in the Bird Garden to undertake a thorough cleansing of their stalls. In addition, AFCD staff would inspect all the stalls and collect swab samples on a daily basis.
(Xinhua News Agency June 18, 2007)
