Hong Kong Suspends Poultry Imports from S. Korea, US over Bird Flu
On.cc · 3 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
The Food Safety Centre under Hong Kong's Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced on Monday that the city has suspended poultry and egg imports from South Korea and the United States following confirmed outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza. The ban came after the World Organisation for Animal Health reported H5N9 flu in South Korea's Gyeonggi Province Yeoncheon County and H5N1 flu across multiple US states. The centre has contacted authorities in both countries and pledged to continue monitoring the situation.
Key Points
- South Korea's Gyeonggi Province Yeoncheon County confirmed H5N9 highly pathogenic avian flu outbreak, prompting Hong Kong's import suspension
- Six US counties across North Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas, South Dakota, and Illinois reported H5N1 avian flu cases
- Hong Kong imported approximately 80 tonnes of chilled poultry and 11.48 million eggs from South Korea in the first nine months of 2026
- US exports to Hong Kong totalled about 33,270 tonnes of chilled and fresh poultry plus 92.33 million eggs in the same period
- The centre will closely track WOAH updates and coordinate with South Korean and US authorities on further developments
Why It Matters
Hong Kong's food supply chain faces potential disruption as both South Korea and the United States are significant poultry suppliers to the city. The suspension underscores the ongoing global threat of avian influenza and the importance of swift border health measures to protect public health .
Hong Kong's food supply chain faces potential disruption as both South Korea and the United States are significant poultry suppliers to the city. The suspension underscores the ongoing global threat of avian influenza and the importance of swift border health measures to protect public health .