Import of poultry meat and products from areas in US suspended
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (February 10) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in areas in the United States (US), the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the relevant areas with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.
The relevant areas are as follows:
State of Indiana
(1) Allen County
(2) Jackson County
(3) Adams County
State of Arkansas
(4) Cleveland County
State of New York
(5) Suffolk County
State of Illinois
(6) Cook County
State of Missouri
(7) McDonald County
(8) Jasper County
(9) Lawrence County
State of Minnesota
(10) Wadena County
State of Maryland
(11) Dorchester County
State of Georgia
(12) Elbert County
State of Virginia
(13) Accomack County
State of California
(14) Madera County
State of Ohio
(15) Van Wert County
A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 79 630 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat, and about 19.6 million poultry eggs from the US last year.
"The CFS has contacted the American authority over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said.
Ends/Monday, February 10, 2025
Issued at HKT 16:45
