HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong health workers disinfectedtwo wholesale food markets on Wednesday following the discoveryof a dead wild bird suspected to have died from bird flu.

The bird was found on Sunday at the Cheung Sha Wanwholesale food market in west Kowloon, which is near atemporary wholesale poultry market.

"We will step up inspections and surveillance of thewholesale poultry market and remind wholesalers to maintaingood hygiene to ensure that proper precautions against avianinfluenza have been implemented," a spokesperson for theAgriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said.

Further tests were being conducted on the Magpie Robin, awild bird resident in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong detected 21 birds with the H5N1 virus last yearand three birds so far this year.

Although bird flu remains mainly an animal disease, expertsfear the virus could mutate into a form that spreads easilyamong humans and kill millions.

In recent weeks, the discovery of H5N1 infected dead birdshave forced the closure of Hong Kong's world famous Mai Po birdreserve and aviaries at the popular Ocean Park theme park.

(Reporting by James Pomfret; Editing by Nick Macfie)