The Health Bureau today urged the public to observe good personal and food hygiene, following the discovery of the avian flu virus in four wet markets in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong’s Department of Health alerted Macao this evening of their decision to cull all live chickens at retail stalls and shops.

The Health Bureau said it would keep close contact with the Hong Kong health authorities, and in monitoring the spread of the virus in the region and put into operation more preventive measures if necessary.

The Bureau had also stepped up its surveillance on influenza and pneumonia cases.

All doctors, hospitals and clinics have been told to monitor signs and symptoms of avian flu and report any suspected case to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention of the Health Bureau immediately.

The Bureau has set up a hotline for enquiries about avian flu: 28561122. The hotline is manned from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. from 11 June to 15 June.