Beautiful Virgin Islands

Monday, Jul 14, 2025

H5N8 strain of bird flu discovered in Hong Kong for the first time

H5N8 strain of bird flu discovered in Hong Kong for the first time

Two samples of bird droppings taken from Mai Po nature reserve tested positive for the highly pathogenic H5N8 strain.

Hong Kong authorities have stepped up their vigilance against bird flu after a highly pathogenic strain was detected in the city for the first time.

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said on Thursday it was notified that two samples of bird droppings taken from Mai Po nature reserve by university researchers last Wednesday had tested positive for the H5N8 strain.

Located in the northwestern New Territories bordering Deep Bay, Mai Po is Hong Kong’s largest remaining wetland and recognised for its global importance for sustaining bird migrations. The area is an internationally acclaimed marshland and haven for tens of thousands of migratory birds.

WWF-Hong Kong, which manages the reserve, said it had stepped up cleansing and disinfection of tourist facilities including bird hides and a floating boardwalk. A carpet with disinfectant was also placed at the entrance.

H5N8 bird flu is not known to have ever infected humans, according to experts.


Migratory birds stop off at Tai Sang Wai, near Mai Po nature reserve.


No poultry farms were located within 3km (1.9 miles) of the reserve, the department said. It has reminded poultry farmers, bird shop owners and licence holders of pet poultry and racing pigeons to take precautions against bird flu.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, meanwhile, said it would continue to be vigilant in regard to live poultry stalls.

The samples were collected by a bird flu surveillance research team from the University of Hong Kong’s school of public health.

Professor Leo Poon Lit-man, who was involved in the team, told the Post it was the first time the highly pathogenic H5N8 virus was detected in Hong Kong.

“It was not very surprising to see as this virus has been prevalent elsewhere. It is possible the virus was brought into Hong Kong through migratory birds,” Poon said, adding that further tests would be done to determine the sources of the virus.

Globally there have been outbreaks of H5N8 among wild birds and poultry farms in mainland China and countries such as South Korea, Japan, Germany and France, prompting culls of millions of chickens.

Poon warned that local poultry farms could suffer major losses if the virus spread to their birds, which were likely to be wiped out.

Although there have not been any reports of humans being infected with H5N8, Poon said it could not be completely ruled out.

“The chance of human infection is low, but there could be exceptional cases for people who have a weak immune system, and I cannot rule out such a possibility,” he said.

Previous human infections from highly pathogenic bird flu viruses, such as H5N1 and H7N9, have caused fatalities.

Poon said that although many parts of the world were still grappling with the Covid-19 pandemic, there was no evidence to suggest the coronavirus made it easier for humans to be infected with bird flu.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Australia Rules Out Pre‑commitment of Troops, Reinforces Defence Posture Amid US‑China Tensions
Martha Wells Says Humanity Still Far from True Artificial Intelligence
Nvidia Becomes World’s First Four‑Trillion‑Dollar Company Amid AI Boom
U.S. Resumes Deportations to Third Countries After Supreme Court Ruling
Excavation Begins at Site of Mass Grave for Children at Former Irish Institution
Iranian President Reportedly Injured During Israeli Strike on Secret Facility
EU Delays Retaliatory Tariffs Amid New U.S. Threats on Imports
Trump Defends Attorney General Pam Bondi Amid Epstein Memo Backlash
Renault Shares Drop as CEO Luca de Meo Announces Departure Amid Reports of Move to Kering
Senior Aides for King Charles and Prince Harry Hold Secret Peace Summit
Anti‑Semitism ‘Normalised’ in Middle‑Class Britain, Says Commission Co‑Chair
King Charles Meets David Beckham at Chelsea Flower Show
If the Department is Really About Justice: Ghislaine Maxwell Should Be Freed Now
NYC Candidate Zohran Mamdani’s ‘Antifada’ Remarks Spark National Debate on Political Language and Economic Policy
President Trump Visits Flood-Ravaged Texas, Praises Community Strength and First Responders
From Mystery to Meltdown, Crisis Within the Trump Administration: Epstein Files Ignite A Deepening Rift at the Highest Levels of Government Reveals Chaos, Leaks, and Growing MAGA Backlash
Trump Slams Putin Over War Death Toll, Teases Major Russia Announcement
Reparations argument crushed
Rainmaker CEO Says Cloud Seeding Paused Before Deadly Texas Floods
A 92-year-old woman, who felt she doesn't belong in a nursing home, escaped the death-camp by climbing a gate nearly 8 ft tall
French Journalist Acquitted in Controversial Case Involving Brigitte Macron
Elon Musk’s xAI Targets $200 Billion Valuation in New Fundraising Round
Kraft Heinz Considers Splitting Off Grocery Division Amid Strategic Review
Trump Proposes Supplying Arms to Ukraine Through NATO Allies
EU Proposes New Tax on Large Companies to Boost Budget
Trump Imposes 35% Tariffs on Canadian Imports Amid Trade Tensions
Junior Doctors in the UK Prepare for Five-Day Strike Over Pay Disputes
US Opens First Rare Earth Mine in Over 70 Years in Wyoming
Kurdistan Workers Party Takes Symbolic Step Towards Peace in Northern Iraq
Bitcoin Reaches New Milestone of $116,000
Biden’s Doctor Pleads the Fifth to Avoid Self-Incrimination on President’s Medical Fitness
Grok Chatbot Faces International Backlash for Antisemitic Content
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
Labour Expected to Withdraw Support for Special Needs Funding Model
Leaked Audio Reveals Tory Aide Defending DEI Record
Elon Musk Founds a Party Following a Poll on X: "You Wanted It – You Got It!"
London Stock Exchange Faces Historic Low in Initial Public Offerings
A new online platform has emerged in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Muslim men seeking virgin brides
Trump Celebrates Independence Day with B-2 Flyover and Signs Controversial Legislation
×