People worry that there could be a worldwide outbreak. However, a health department official in Hong Kong stressed that there is currently no reason to fear an epidemic, because the number of cases is still very small. Hygienic measures were ordered for Hong Kong street markets. The Cheung Sha Wan poultry market was closed for three days, and soap and water were used to scrub the floors, but chicken sellers said that despite these measures and a fifty percent price cut, sales nevertheless dropped by eighty percent. If the situation doesn't improve, chicken sellers may close down.
Restaurants report that customers ordering chicken are down twenty percent.
Most chicken imported into Hong Kong comes from mainland China. New measures have been introduced to closely supervise the import of chickens. Radio and TV are offering general suggestions on how to prevent the spread of the flu. Bird flu has the same symptoms as typical flu cases, including sore throat, fever, and muscle aches. However, symptoms can gradually become more serious.