The mainland has suspended Sichuan meat exports, making Hong Kong's chances of being affected by the Streptococcus suis outbreak slim, Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government York Chow said here Thursday.

He told legislators that public health is a key factor in deciding on food import bans, adding Hong Kong has full autonomy to make such decisions. Scientific evidence and international guidelines and practices must be carefully considered before imposing any ban.

Forty percent of frozen pork from southwest China's Sichuan province is supplied to Hong Kong with the rest for other countries. However, no country has banned imports since the outbreak. He said while Hong Kong's chances of being affected are slim, the government will monitor the incident and Department of Health staff have been sent to help investigate the outbreak.

Chow said Streptococcus suis is common among pigs, and not a notifiable disease according to the World Organization for Animal Health.

Deputy Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene Mak Sin-ping said Hong Kong has a risk-assessment based control mechanism for the safety of imported meat, built on international practices and standards.

The department has enhanced liaison with Mainland authorities and inspection of live pigs and frozen meat. As infection is often related to occupational exposure through wounds while handling infected pig carcasses, the trade has been reminded to take precautionary measures. Nine cases have been reported since 1994.

Source: Xinhua