(Owners) feel that if we impose an anti-smoking ordinance within a very short time, they definitely would face a loss of business and eventually even closure of some of their establishments. |
[The fishmongers] have the right [to suspend sales], but I hope they will think it over. Sentimental action will not solve the problem. |
China has agreed to more stringent screening and testing of fish sold to Hong Kong, |
Given the public health concerns, we are proceeding with full speed in drafting legislation to ban household poultry keeping. We are of the view that such stringent measures are well justified. |
He is an urban resident, he had no contact with farms or any poultry from the villages. His only exposure is the wet markets, which has poultry which are supposedly safe for consumption and safe for the public. |
I have to say that on the evidence we have it's most likely that the avian flu virus H5N1 is already endemic in this region. |
If it is proven to be human-to-human transmission, ... then we have to be very careful and we might have to close the border. |
Of course we hope such a scenario won't occur, but we have to be psychologically prepared. |
Since different kinds of wild birds and chickens have this virus, we can be quite sure that this virus is endemic in our birds. |
They have not actually suspended all the imports (to Hong Kong) as I far as I know. |
We hope to have legislation in two week. |
We need to have some time to investigate to be sure that this is a new virus and has the risk of human-to-human transmission. |
With all the measures we have taken and all measures we propose, most likely we have adequate measures and the H5N1 virus only has limited transmission to poultry and to humans. |
With the evidence that we have, it's most likely that the avian flu, that is the H5N1 virus, is already endemic in this region. |