The government announced last night that all sales of live poultry in the city will be temporarily stopped with immediate effect after discovering the H7 strain of the avian influenza virus (AIV) in silkie chicken samples at the Nam Yue Supply Market yesterday afternoon.
Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM) President Jose Fonseca Tavares made the announcement during a press conference at the bureau’s headquarters in Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro. Health Bureau (SSM) officials also attended the press conference.
Tavares said the date on which live poultry sales would be resumed will be decided after the bureau and its mainland counterparts identify the source of the affected poultry.
Jose Ernesto Paula (right), who heads the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau’s (IACM) Food Inspection Division, addresses a press conference at the bureau last night about the suspension of live poultry sales. Also present were IACM President Jose Fonseca Tavares (second from right), Health Bureau (SSM) Director Lei Chin Ion (second from left) and SSM Centre for Disease Control and Prevention Director Lam Chong. Photo: Annie Cheung
