A spokesman for the AFCD said that a carcass of a black-faced spoonbill picked up in the Mai Po Nature Reserve was suspected to be positive for the H5 avian influenza virus in the initial test, and the department is continuing to conduct further confirmation tests.
The dead bird was found and picked up in Yi Kei Wai in the nursing area a few days ago.
The AFCD stated that the nursing area has stepped up cleaning and disinfection of visitor facilities such as bird watching houses and pontoons.
There is a disinfectant floor mat at the entrance of the nursing area for visitors to disinfect shoe soles.
In addition, AFCD is closely monitoring the situation of the birds in the conservation area, and posted notices to remind the public to pay attention to personal hygiene.
There are no chicken farms within three kilometers of the site where the bird carcass was found.
The Fisheries and Conservation Department has recently strengthened the monitoring of avian influenza, closely monitoring the situation of local live poultry farms and wholesale markets, and reminding poultry farmers, bird shop owners, licensed pet poultry keepers and holders of poultry exhibition licenses to adopt Appropriate preventive measures against avian influenza.
The spokesman said that the department will closely monitor local live poultry farms and wholesale markets to ensure that the trade takes appropriate measures to prevent avian influenza.
AFCD will also continue to closely monitor wild birds.
The spokesman also pointed out that members of the public should avoid contact with wild birds, live poultry and their droppings, and wash their hands thoroughly after contact with birds.
Members of the public who find suspected sick or dead birds, including wild birds and poultry carcasses, can call 1823 to contact the AFCD for follow-up.
The black-faced spoonbill is a winter migratory bird, mainly found in the Deep Bay area.