Inspection and quarantine officers examine live pigeons that are set to be exported to Hong Kong in Shenzhen, in South China's Guangdong province, on Sep 4. [Photo/Xinhua]

HONG KONG - The Food and Health Bureau of China's Hong Kong said the region would resume imports of live poultry from the mainland from Thursday, just in time for Mid- Autumn Festival celebrations next week.

Live poultry imports from the mainland have been suspended since January after an imported chicken was found carrying the potentially-fatal H7N9 bird flu virus.

The Food and Health Bureau said it would put in place safeguards to ensure that imported poultry is free from the virus.