Hong Kong’s Health, Food and Welfare Secretary, York Chow, told a press conference that in the event of a bird flu outbreak, equestrian events being held in Hong Kong as part of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games could be cancelled.
But Chow said that so far there is no evidence that horses could contract the bird flu virus.
Also, horses participating in the equestrian events should undergo a seven-day quarantine at designated shipping centres before entering Hong Kong, according to an announcement by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Monday. The horses should also be isolated for another 10 days after their entry.
Stella Hung, HKSAR Director of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said the horses should be free of clinical signs of diseases, vaccinated before entering, and accompanied by health certificates issued by the veterinary authority of the exporting places. AFCD is to issue special permits for the horse importation and deal with applications for the permits six months in advance of the events.
A pre-Games competition will be held next year, and more than 200 imported horses are expected in Hong Kong by 2008.
