The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (August 24) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) about outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza in Pixley ka Seme Local Municipality and Abaqulusi Local Municipality, South Africa, it has banned the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the areas with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

A CFS spokesman said that no poultry meat or poultry eggs were imported from South Africa in the first six months of this year.

"The CFS has contacted the South African authorities over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the OIE on avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said.