Further Scandinavian avian flu outbreaks prompt action from Hong Kong

The recommendation from the CFS advised traders to halt Swedish imports with immediate effect to protect public health across Hong Kong.

The warning was prompted by a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), which said that 105 birds were susceptible to the disease across the southern region of Sweden.

During the first three months of this year, Hong Kong imported around 0.3 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and 218,000 poultry eggs from Sweden.

A CFS spokesman said: “The CFS has contacted the Swedish authorities over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the OIE on avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation​.”

This is the second case of poultry suspensions in as many weeks from Scandinavia to Hong Kong after the CFS advised traders​ to halt imports from the Danish region Holstebro following another H5 avian influenza outbreak.

The World Organisation for Animal Health revealed that 20,900 ducks were susceptible to the disease in the Danish area and were culled to prevent further outbreaks.

Avian influenza occurs naturally among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species.