Sample taken from wild pig tests positive for ASF virus
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (November 22) announced that a sample taken from a wild pig tested positive for the African Swine Fever (ASF) virus.
The AFCD mounted a wild pig capture and dispatch operation yesterday (November 21) at Fung Yuen Road, Tai Po. Samples were collected from the four wild pigs captured for testing under the surveillance programme for ASF. A sample collected from one wild pig tested positive for the ASF virus. The AFCD will report the findings to the World Organisation for Animal Health and maintain surveillance in the wild pig population.
There is no pig farm located within 3 kilometres of Fung Yuen Road. At the moment, no pig farms are found affected by this case. All local pig farmers will be notified of the case and advised to enhance farm biosecurity to prevent intrusion of wild pigs and introduction of the ASF virus into their farms. The AFCD has been closely monitoring the health condition of pigs on all local pig farms. Local pig farmers are also reminded to notify the AFCD if their pigs show any health issues.
An AFCD spokesman said, "ASF is a highly contagious disease affecting domestic and wild pigs. However, it is not a zoonotic disease and does not infect humans and hence does not cause any food safety risk. Well-cooked pork is safe for consumption. The case will not affect the supply of live pigs to the local market."
The spokesman stressed that for personal safety and prevention of foods contaminated with the ASF virus to be introduced to wild pigs, members of the public should keep away from them. Do not feed any wild animals, including wild pigs, and ensure that outdoor garbage is disposed of properly. If any dead wild pig is found, please report via 1823.
With a view to strengthening the surveillance of ASF on local wild pigs, the AFCD has been working with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) on a surveillance programme for ASF since late 2019. This has involved testing of the ASF virus in wild pig carcasses reported by the FEHD. The programme includes the New Territories and Kowloon. Other areas found with a large number of wild pig deaths are also included. To enable early detection, samples collected from wild pigs captured by the AFCD are also tested for the ASF virus.
Delegation of HKSAR Government and senior representatives of business sectors to visit GBA Mainland cities
A delegation of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and senior representatives of business sectors will visit five Mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), namely Foshan, Guangzhou, Dongguan, Huizhou and Shenzhen, from next Monday to Wednesday (November 25 to 27) to further promote the HKSAR's co-operation with the Guangdong Province and GBA cities on business, trade and various industries.
The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, will lead the delegation to Guangzhou on November 25 to attend theGuangdong-Hong Kong Deepening Economic, Trade and Investment Cooperation Conference co-organised by the People's Government of Guangdong Province and the HKSAR Government, exchanging views on how to enhance economic and trade investment and co-operation, and promote high-quality development in the GBA. He will then visit Foshan to meet with leaders of Foshan and return to Hong Kong on November 26.
Afterwards, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, will lead the delegation to visit five cities in the GBA to learn more about the successful experiences in the development and industrial planning of the Guangdong areas.
Mr Lee said that the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China emphasised the need to deepen co-operation in the GBA, promoting closer alignment of rules and mechanisms, and better leveraging the GBA as a source of energy for high-quality development. The HKSAR will continue to deepen connections with Guangdong Province and various cities in the GBA, seizing the latest developments and opportunities in the GBA to further promote high-level economic and trade investment, and co-operation.
The delegation will comprise about 50 members, including over 30 senior representatives from large enterprises, financial institutions, and chambers of commerce in Hong Kong. The government official members of the delegation include the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai; the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, Mr Christopher Hui; the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Algernon Yau; the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Mr Lam Sai-hung;the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong; and the Director of the Chief Executive's Office, Ms Carol Yip.
During Mr Lee's absence, the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, will be the Acting Chief Executive. During the absence of Mr Chan Kwok-ki, the Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, will be the Acting Chief Secretary for Administration.
