Preliminary tests on a dead goose and two dead ducks found in Sha Lo Wan, Lantau Island, have indicated a suspected case of H5 avian influenza, the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department says. More tests are being conducted.

The carcasses of a goose and duck were collected on January 29 on a beach near Sha Lo Wan football pitch. Today department staff collected another dead duck at the same location. There are no poultry farms within three kilometres of the area.

This morning department staff inspected the beach and the nearby villages of Sha Lo Wan Tsuen and Sha Lo Wan San Tsuen. There was no evidence of any backyard poultry being kept there.

The department is looking into why the carcasses were found at the beach, including whether they had been washed ashore or dumped.

18 people under surveillance

The Centre for Health Protection contacted six members of the public who reported the incident and 12 staff involved in the operation of collecting dead birds. Seventeen of them are asymptomatic and have been put under medical surveillance.

The 26-year-old driver who had participated in collecting the dead birds on January 29 has developed fever and symptoms of upper respiratory infection since January 27. As he developed symptoms two days before the operation, the chance of him being infected with avian flu is low.

However, as a precautionary measure he has been admitted to the Princess Margaret Hospital for observation and further investigation.