24.12.2011

The Hong Kong authorities say a second dead bird in a week has tested positive for avian influenza, raising health concerns in the city.

The agricultural department said yesterday that lab tests confirmed an Oriental magpie robin found dead on Dec 17 in the New Territories was infected with H5N1 avian influenza.

This type of robin is commonly found in Hong Kong.

On Wednesday, Hong Kong raised its alert level to "serious" after a chicken at a wholesale market tested positive for avian influenza. A total of 19,451 birds, including more than 15,000 chickens, were culled as a precaution.