2011-01-21 17:35

HONG KONG - A dead large-billed crow found in Tai O, Lantau Island of Hong Kong was confirmed to be H5N1 virus positive, a spokesman for the city's Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said on Friday.

The bird carcass was collected at Sun Ki Street, Tai O on January 18. It was highly decomposed when found and required a series of tests before avian influenza was confirmed Friday.

The spokesman said the large-billed crow is a common resident bird in Hong Kong and there were no poultry farms within three kilometers of where the dead bird was found.

To minimize the risk of avian influenza outbreaks, he said, all relevant government departments would continue to remain highly vigilant and strictly enforce preventive measures against avian influenza, such as reinforcing health education and striving to deter illegal imports of poultry and birds into Hong Kong.