The risk of Hong Kong having a bird flu outbreak has increased, due to the recent discovery of wild birds and chickens testing positive for H5N1, Hong Kong's Acting Deputy Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food Vincent Liu said on Saturday.

Speaking on a radio talk show, Liu said laws banning backyard poultry-keeping will be effective from February 13. He said he hopes people will be co-operative and surrender all household poultry to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.

The Hong Kong government will not compensate the backyard farmers, fearing that it might encourage people to smuggle more chickens and thus increase the risk of the virus spreading.

Noting the number of tests on bird samples has increased substantially, he said more resources will be added to help ease the burden of staff.

Hong Kong's Center for Health Protection consultant Dr. Thomas Tsang said from now to March is the peak season for avian flu. He urged people to observe good personal hygiene and avoid contact with wild birds and live poultry. People should clean their hands thoroughly after coming into contact with birds, and all poultry should be thoroughly cooked before consumption, he added.

(Xinhua News Agency February 12, 2006)