First case of H5N6 virus found in dead wild bird

A captive peregrine falcon with its owner in Canada. (Photo: Brent Eades via Flickr)

The government has cautioned the public to refrain from coming into contact with wild birds after a dead peregrine falcon tested positive for the H5N6 virus.

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) conducted tests on the dead bird after it was found in a Yuen Long construction site.

“[People] should avoid personal contact with wild birds or live poultry and clean their hands thoroughly after coming into contact with them,” an AFCD spokesman said. 

Though this is the first known case of H5N6 in Hong Kong, cases have been reported in mainland China, Vietnam, Laos and Burma.

The first H5N6-related human death was that of a Sichuan man, who contracted the disease last May while handling dead chickens, reports the SCMP

There has since been three fatal cases to date, with the most recent reported in the Yunnan province.

The department said that it will continue to monitor the situation and inspect chicken farms to ensure that the safety measures against the strain are being implemented.



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