Friday, January 27, 2012
A dead goose found at Sham Tseng has tested positive for the H5N1 bird flu virus.
The decomposed carcass was found at Anglers' Beach on Castle Peak Road last Friday and required a series of tests before the positive result was confirmed yesterday, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said.
Sham Tseng, between Tuen Mun and Tsuen Wan, is famous for its roast goose dishes.
But restaurants shrugged off the discovery.
"Our business has not been affected by bird flu and customers have not questioned us about this incident," said Ng Kuen-wah, manager of Yue Kee Restaurant.
"Our chilled goose comes from Guangzhou. We have been operating for a few decades, so I don't think customers will challenge our quality."
The five others - three black-headed gulls, a little egret and an oriental magpie - were found in Tin Shui Wai, Yuen Lung, Tuen Mun and on Lantau.
A department spokesman said there were no poultry farms within a three- kilometer radius of where the dead goose was found.
The department also found no evidence of anyone keeping poultry in their backyards.
It will continue to monitor the situation and conduct inspections of the area.
The discovery of the dead goose comes days after fresh chicken sales resumed last Friday, following a 21-day ban, when the bird flu warning was lowered from "serious" to "alert."
The department has notified poultry farmers, pet bird shop owners and licensed holders of pet poultry and racing pigeons that proper precautions must be taken.
The spokesman said the department will frequently inspect poultry farms and wholesale markets to ensure that proper precautions against avian influenza are being implemented.
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