HONG KONG - The food safety authority of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) decided on Friday to suspend import of poultry products from Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality in South Africa.

The Center for Food Safety (CFS) of the HKSAR government's Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said the decision was made in view of a notification from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza in Elias Motsoaledi.

The CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products, including poultry eggs, from the area with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.

A CFS spokesman said no poultry meat or poultry eggs were imported from South Africa last year.

"The CFS has contacted the South African authorities over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the OIE on avian influenza outbreaks. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation," the spokesman said.