HK bans import of poultry meat and products from Middelfart Municipality and Nordfyns Municipality in Denmark

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (July 28) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) about an outbreak of low-pathogenic H7N7 avian influenza in Brenderup, Denmark, it has banned the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from two municipalities in the vicinity, Middelfart Municipality and Nordfyns Municipality, with immediate effect for the protection of Hong Kong's public health.

A CFS spokesman said that Hong Kong imported about 800 tonnes of frozen poultry meat and about 795 000 poultry eggs from Denmark in the first six months of this year.

"The CFS has contacted the Danish authorities over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the OIE on avian influenza outbreaks in the country. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said.

Ends/Thursday, July 28, 2016