The AFCD has been closely monitoring animal health in Hong Kong. In 2002, staff of the department made over 15 000 visits to local 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 department is also evaluating vaccination as part of the comprehensive strategy to control the spread of the H5 avian influenza virus.

    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 2002, over 36 000 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. In 2002, over 11 000 stray dogs were caught. The department also deploys manpower to catch other stray animals that may cause a nuisance in local communities.

    To cope with the increasing workload in monitoring animal diseases, the AFCD established a new veterinary laboratory in 2002. This laboratory meets the ISO/IEC 17025 standards and is the first veterinary laboratory in Asia accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities in Australia. The laboratory is equipped for the testing and diagnosis of various veterinary diseases, and the testing of a wide range of chemical residues in animal urine/serum samples.

    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 2002, there were over 290 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.

Home Pages

Health, Welfare and Food Bureau: http://www.hwfb.gov.hk

Food and Environmental Hygiene Department: http://www.gov.hk/fehd

Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department: http://www.afcd.gov.hk