Battle lines against flu.

(From The Standard)

Byline: Matthew Lee

As bird flu tightens its grip on the mainland, Hong Kong has strengthened its defences against the deadly virus.

Any chickens dying from disease or other causes will now be collected directly from Hong Kong's 150 poultry farms instead of central collection sites, Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Thomas Chan said yesterday. ``Since bird flu is spreading in regions neighbouring Hong Kong, we are stepping up our surveillance measures,'' Chan said.

Prior to yesterday's announcement, farmers only had to report if the death rate among their chicken flocks exceeded 4 per cent. Chan also warned farmers …