XN000022-1992-11-21 — Page 3

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 1992

STATEMENT ON OUTBREAK OF PIG'S DISEASE

IN RESPONSE ΤΟ PRESS ENQUIRIES ON THE OUTBREAK OF FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE AMONG PIGS REARED IN HONG KONG, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) SAID:

"THE DEPARTMENT RECEIVED SIX REPORTS OF THE PAST SIX MONTHS, INVOLVING A TOTAL OF 2,500 PIGS, OF PIGS ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE DIED.

DISEASE IN THE WHICH SOME

500

SITUATION AND

"THE DEPARTMENT IS KEEPING A CLOSE WATCH ON THE IS LIAISING WITH THE WORLD REFERENCE CENTRE ON FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE CONCERNING THIS CURRENT OUTBREAK.

"FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE IS A VIRAL DISEASE. AFFECTED PIGS WILL DEVELOP BLISTERS ON THE SNOUTS AND FOOT, AND THEIR GROWTH IS RETARDED.

"THE DEATH RATE IS USUALLY LOW, PARTICULARLY IF AFFECTED PIGS ARE ISOLATED AND GIVEN PROPER HUSBANDRY CARE.

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IN SEVERE CASE, PIGLETS MAY DIE WHEN THEIR HEART MUSCLE IS AFFECTED. THERE IS NO KNOWN CURE AND THE BEST METHOD OF CONTROL IS PREVENTIVE VACCINATION.

"THE DEPARTMENT HAS ALL ALONG BEEN ADVISING FARMERS TO VACCINATE THEIR PIGS REGULARLY AND NOT DURING OUTBREAKS.

BY

"LIVESTOCK KEEPERS SHOULD SECURE THE SUPPLY OF VACCINE PLACING FIRM ORDERS WITH THE LOCAL AGENT OF THE VACCINE MANUFACTURER TO AVOID ANY INTERRUPTION IN SUPPLY.

"THE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN LIAISING WITH FOREIGN VACCINE MANUFACTURER TO ENSURE THAT THE VACCINE PRODUCED IS THE BEST FOR USE IN HONG KONG.

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THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT ANIMAL FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE VIRUS DOES NOT NORMALLY AFFECT HUMANS.

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URUGUAY ROUND GATT NEGOTIATIONS

NEWS THAT THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPEAN COMMISSION NEGOTIATORS

A DISPUTE OVER HAD RESOLVED

BY DIRECTOR-GENERAL WELCOMED

(SATURDAY).

TRADE IN OF TRADE.

PRODUCTS AGRICULTURAL

MR DONALD TSANG,

WAS

TODAY

TRADE IN

AGRICULTURAL

PRODUCTS HAVE FOR OVER A

"DEEP DIFFERENCES OVER DELAYED PROGRESS IN THE URUGUAY ROUND MULTILATERAL TALKS YEAR," MR TSANG SAID.

REACHED, BUT WE

"WE HAVE YET TO SEE DETAILS OF THE AGREEMENT

REVIVS SUBSTANTIVE NEGOTIATION IN BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE POSSIBLE TO

READY AND KEEN

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THE URUGUAY ROUND IMMEDIATELY, THE HONG KONG TEAM IS TO GET GOING.

/"EVEN WITH