突然！香港宣布：暂停进口！

Core Viewpoint - Hong Kong has suspended the import of poultry and poultry products from specific regions in the United States due to outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza, aiming to protect public health [2][4]. Group 1: Hong Kong's Response - The Hong Kong Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced the suspension of imports from Edmunds County, South Dakota, and Wayne County, North Carolina, following reports from the World Organisation for Animal Health [4]. - From January to September this year, Hong Kong imported approximately 40,060 tons of chilled and frozen poultry and about 2.62 million poultry eggs from the United States [4]. Group 2: Avian Influenza Outbreaks - In addition to the U.S. outbreaks, avian influenza has also been reported in Poland and the Netherlands, prompting further import suspensions to safeguard public health in Hong Kong [4]. - A recent case in Washington State marked the first confirmed human infection of the H5N5 strain of avian influenza, highlighting the evolving nature of the influenza threat [5]. Group 3: Influenza Situation in the U.S. and Europe - The CDC reported approximately 2.9 million flu cases in the U.S. this flu season, with around 30,000 hospitalizations and 1,200 deaths [7]. - The predominant strain this season is the H3N2 subtype, with flu activity levels continuing to rise across the country [7]. - In the UK, flu cases have reached record highs, with warnings that numbers could double before peaking [9].