A pork sample taken from Sheung Shui Slaughterhouse of the New Territories in January tested positive for the A/H1N1 influenza virus, according to the University of Hong Kong"e;s surveillance program which made the result public on Tuesday.

No gene re-assortment was detected in the sample and the virus remained genetically similar to the A/H1N1 influenza viruses regularly found in people. It is believed the flu virus was transmitted from a person to a pig.

The sample was taken from pigs imported from Chinese Mainland. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department of Hong Kong has informed Mainland authorities and strengthened monitoring of registered farms supplying live pigs to Hong Kong.

Given the wide transmission of the pandemic H1N1 virus in humans, detection of the virus in pigs is no surprise, the city"e;s Center for Food Safety said, adding positive findings will appear occasionally.

The center will continue to monitor the surveillance program and make regular updates.

Source:Xinhua