# 2400
A dead house crow (Corvus splendens) that was found last week in Hong Kong has tested positive for the H5N1 virus.
This isn't all that unusual.
In 2007, Hong Kong authorities discovered 21 infected birds within their 426 sq mile territory.
The assumption is that most of these birds either come from Guangdong Province, or were exposed to a bird from that region.
(Guangdong Province)
Last February and March we had multiple reports of infected wild birds in Hong Kong, including egrets and Oriental Magpies.
Whether this crow is a visitor, or somehow picked up the virus locally, is unknown. The House Crow is a scavenger; omnivorous, and reputedly can feed on just about anything.
Hong Kong actively stays on the lookout for dead or sick birds, and routinely tests them.
This from Xinhua News.
House crow tested H5N1 positive in Hong Kong
www.chinaview.cn
2008-10-20 14:27:54
HONG KONG, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- A dead house crow found at local community in Hong Kong was confirmed to be H5N1 positive after a series of laboratory tests, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said here Monday.
The carcass was found and collected on Oct. 15 at the refuse collection chamber in Sham Shui Po Park.
It was Hong Kong's first case of the deadly strain of H5N1 virus this autumn.
A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department reminded people to observe good personal hygiene.
"They should avoid personal contact with wild birds or live poultry and clean their hands thoroughly after coming into contact with them," he said.
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