A Hong Kong government spokesman confirmed Tuesday that the result of preliminary testing of a dead Grey Heron found in Lok Ma Chau area indicated a suspected case of H5 avian influenza.

Further confirmatory tests were currently being conducted, the spokesman said.

The dead bird was first found by a worker of the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line project within the restricted area of Lok Ma Chau and was handed to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) for diagnostic testing Monday.

The spokesman said, "As a precautionary measure, the Center for Health Protection had traced all seven persons who had contact with the dead bird, and found they are in good health. We will be monitoring their medical conditions for the next few days. 

"All poultry farms within two kilometers of where the dead bird was found had been inspected by AFCD staff. There was no abnormal mortality and the chickens showed no symptoms of avian influenza."

(Xinhua News Agency November 3, 2004)