Hong Kong has suspended imports of poultry meat and products, including eggs, from Lolland Municipality in Denmark following an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza.
The suspension took effect on 27 October, according to China’s Xinhua News Agency, citing Hong Kong’s Centre for Food Safety (CFS).
The food safety authority, which operates under Hong Kong’s Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, instructed the trade to halt imports from the affected Danish municipality as a precautionary measure to protect public health.
A CFS spokesperson said the decision followed notifications from the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) concerning H5N1 outbreaks in Lolland and Jackson County in Minnesota, United States.
The centre has contacted Danish and US authorities and will continue monitoring updates from the relevant authorities and WOAH.
The suspension applies to poultry products originating from the affected area. The announcement does not establish that Danish poultry products already available in Hong Kong pose a health risk.
Hong Kong authorities have not announced when the restrictions might be lifted.
Source: Global Times
