05.07.2012

Avian flu virus H5N1 virus was detected on a swab sample collected from a bird cage holding an Oriental magpie robin at a pet bird shop in the Yuen Po Street Bird Garden (Bird Garden) in Mong Kok.

The swab sample was collected on June 25 for laboratory tests with other swab samples under the AFCD's routine avian influenza surveillance programme.

The Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation has declared the pet bird shop as an infected place. The AFCD has closed the shop and removed all the birds to the Department's animal management centre in Sheung Shui for disposal.   

As a precautionary measure, the Bird Garden will be closed for 21 days starting today.

Pet bird stalls in the Bird Garden are being closely monitored. So far nothing abnormal has been detected.