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The AFCD closely monitors animal health in Hong Kong. In 2003, staff
of the department made over 10 700 visits to livestock and poultry farms
to monitor conditions, test for the presence of diseases, and check on
the use of veterinary drugs. To enhance its preventive capacity, the department
not only advises farmers on proper husbandry practices but also provides
them with vaccines so that newly imported breeding pigs can be inoculated
against major animal diseases such as foot and mouth disease and swine
fever.
The new RRT-PCR ('real-time reverse transcribed-polymerase
chain reaction') technology for avian influenza evaluated in 2002 was
shown to be useful in early detection and monitoring for H5N1 avian influenza
virus infection during and after outbreaks in December 2002 to January
2003. Introduction of new, rapid, molecular diagnostic testing procedures
for H5 avian influenza viruses has been extended to diagnosis of other
avian, swine and fish diseases of significance to Hong Kong.
The second and third phase implementation of Public
Health (Animals and Birds) (Chemical Residues) Regulation in 2003 required
the introduction of screen testing for an increased range of chemical
residues in animal urine/serum samples. The scope of analytical services
for the testing of veterinary drug residues in food animals products and
live food animals for surveillance and statutory purposes has been further
extended by the Government Laboratory and the AFCD's Veterinary Laboratory
to facilitate the second phase enforcement of the Public Health (Animals
and Birds) (Chemical Residues) Regulation and the Harmful Substances in
Food Regulations.
Although Hong Kong has achieved a rabies-free status
with the aid of vaccination, the AFCD has strict measures in place to
prevent a recurrence of the disease. Dog keepers are required to have
their dogs licensed, implanted with microchips for identification and
vaccinated against rabies by the time their dogs reach five months of
age. In 2003, some 45 000 dogs were vaccinated against rabies. As part
of the rabies prevention strategy, continual action is taken to reduce
the risk of a rabies reservoir developing in the stray animal population.
Over 13 500 stray dogs were caught in the year. The department also deploys
manpower to catch other stray animals that may cause a nuisance in local
communities.
The AFCD is the licensing authority for all pet shops
in Hong Kong. No one is allowed to trade in pets unless they are licensed
under certain conditions. In 2003, there were over 275 licensed pet shops
selling a wide range of animals including dogs, cats, birds, turtles and
some exotic animals. The department inspects the shops regularly to ensure
that their operations are in line with the licensing conditions, monitor
the animal health conditions and prevent cruelty to the animals.
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