Anti-bird flu contingency (意外事故) measures, including a proposal to separate poultry from humans and a series of traffic and logistics (后勤) measures will be discussed at the Legislative Council's Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene Panel meeting next month. Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food Dr York Chow says the contingency plan would come into force if an outbreak occurred near Hong Kong.
Speaking on a radio talk show this morning, Dr Chow said the separation of poultry from humans policy, which will be determined after a decision whether to set up a central slaughtering (屠宰) house or several regional ones, would be based on the demand for live chickens.
He pointed out that at present there were 30,000 live chickens imported from the Mainland and 30,000 supplied locally. If this demand persisted, there would be no central slaughtering house or wholesale point that could handle such an amount and regional slaughtering houses could be the choice.
He added that building of regional slaughtering houses took time, but stressed the need to study the views of the public and the sector before a final decision was made.
Regarding avian flu vaccination (种痘) for humans, Dr Chow said it was still being developed. He added that it may not be reliable in the case of an outbreak as records show vaccination can only offer 5% protection against a virus.
He said Hong Kong had more experience and expertise than neighbouring territories in the fight against viral outbreaks, and was willing to offer them help. He added there was no “boundary” for infectious diseases and close cooperation among different countries had to be maintained to fight against a possible outbreak.
64. It can be inferred from the first paragraph that ______.
A. the government is planning to take strong action to fight against bird flu
B. an outbreak which happened near Hong Kong made people very frightened
C. anti-bird flu contingency measures will come into use next month
D. Dr York Chow will organize a meeting to discuss the contingency plan
65. According to the passage, the best way to fight against bird flu is to ______.
A. separate poultry from humans B. set up a central slaughtering house
C. set up several regional slaughtering houses D. get avian flu vaccination
66. When the final decision will be made mainly depends on ______.
A. the demand for live chickens
B. the views of the public
C. the advice from experts
D. the time when regional slaughtering houses will be finished
67. Which of the following statements isn’t Dr York Chow’s opinion?
A. Hong Kong is better at dealing with viral outbreaks than its neighbours.
B. Infectious diseases could happen in any country.
C. Other territories should ask Hong Kong for help because it has more experience.
D. Cooperation is quite necessary when danger is coming.