04.03.2011

A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (March 4) that a goose carcass found in Lantau was confirmed to be H5N1 positive after laboratory testing.
The goose carcass was found and collected at a beach near Sham Shek Tsuen, Lantau on March 1. It was highly decomposed when found and required a series of tests before H5N1 avian influenza was confirmed today.The spokesman said there were no poultry farms within three kilometres of where the dead goose was found. AFCD staff have conducted inspections and found no evidence of any backyard poultry being kept there. The AFCD will continue to monitor the situation and conduct inspections of the area.
A ban on backyard poultry has been in force since 2006. Unauthorised keeping of five kinds of poultry - chickens, ducks, geese, pigeons or quails - is an offence with a maximum fine of $50,000. Repeat offenders are subject to a maximum fine of $100,000.