Hong Kong to remain vigilant over bird flu threat, health chief Sophia Chan vows, as Japanese research confirms H7N9 virus can be transmitted via respiratory droplets
- University of Tokyo researchers find healthy ferret infected with virus after sick animal placed in separate cage 7cm away
Hong Kong’s health minister promised the government would stay alert over any possible outbreak of bird flu in the city as new research in Japan confirmed the H7N9 virus could be transmitted via respiratory droplets.
Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan Siu-chee on Sunday said the government had done a lot in the prevention and surveillance of bird flu at local farms and markets selling live poultry.
“We will continue to communicate with international organisations and health organisations to understand more about avian flu and the risks,” she said.
Her remarks followed a report that University of Tokyo researchers had confirmed the H7N9 bird flu virus could be transmitted via respiratory droplets.
Researchers placed a healthy ferret and one infected with the virus in separate cages 7cm apart. Four days later, they found the healthy ferret was infected. Droplets containing the virus were found 80cm from the sick animal.
