LIVE poultry trade will be suspended in the city from the start of the Chinese New Year, January 28, to April 30, the city government said yesterday.

The seasonal suspension was introduced from 2014 to prevent the spread of bird flu and other diseases where outbreaks are more likely to occur in winter and spring.

Fresh meat including live poultry are often preferred choices for Chinese cuisines. However, contact with fowls can be a key source of potential infection of the virus.