HONG Kong has suspended the import of poultry from the UK in the latest consequence of an outbreak of avian influenza in the Shetland Islands.
Restrictions were first put in place in Shetland last week after the outbreak was first detected among commercial stock, with Shetland Islands Council sending officers to the island of Whalsay to implement control measures, including a 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone.
Based on the opinion of Scotland’s chief veterinary officer, on May 30 Scottish ministers confirmed the existence of “highly pathogenic” avian influenza on Whalsay, declaring a Temporary Control Zone which would remain in effect until amended or revoked.
According to official statistics, Hong Kong imported approximately 420 tonnes of chilled and frozen poultry meat and 90,000 poultry eggs from the UK in the first three months of 2022.
Commenting, a spokesperson for Hong Kong’s Centre for Food Safety (CFS) said: "The CFS has contacted the British authorities over the issues and will closely monitor information issued by the OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health) and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation.”
The outbreak has also raised concerns over the impact it may have on the area’s wild bird population, as the bird flu spreads through the tens of thousands of birds arriving at nearby breeding colonies over spring and summer.
Roughly 1000 dead gannets have so far been recorded, while hundreds of great skuas – locally known as bonxie – have also been discovered dead or dying.
This follows numerous wild bird deaths in a possible avian influenza outbreak at Loch Fleet in Sutherland last month.
RSPB Scotland’s Helen Moncrieff emphasised the importance of the area for sea birds, commenting last week: "We are having to keep an eye on what is unfolding to limit the spread.”
Despite the risk to the bird population however, public health advice states that risk to human health from avian influenza is very low.
