PUBLIC HEALTH | Gov’t assures residents of poultry safety

Following the recent incident in Hong Kong where samples from a licensed poultry farm in Huizhou, Guangdong tested positive for the H7 virus, the Macau government issued a statement recently assuring local residents that the poultry on sale in Macau is safe for consumption.
The statement said that no poultry sold in Macau has been imported from the area in the mainland that was reported to have the H7 avian influenza virus. The Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM), the department responsible for poultry importation, also said that it would “keep in close contact with the neighboring regions and continue to monitor the development of the bird flu and poultry here to safeguard public health.”
All poultry imported to Macau was from accredited farms in the major supply sources in Doumen, Zhongshan, Shunde and Gaoming, and they have all been tested for the virus,” the bureau said.
IACM added that it has learnt that the Guangdong authorities have taken measures to prevent the poultry infection near the virus-hit farms in Huizhou.
Moreover, the government said it would continue the surveillance of poultry stalls in wet markets and implement measures to prevent the avian virus infection. It also reminded the public to observe strict personal and environmental hygiene and avoid direct contact with live poultry.