Influenza A/H1N1 was removed from the list of statutorily notifiable infectious diseases of Hong Kong, Xinhua cited a spokesman from Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health as saying Friday.

"Recent influenza surveillance data show that the overall influenza activity in Hong Kong has decreased compared with the past few weeks and the virus is no longer the dominant influenza strain," the spokesman said.

Hong Kong lowered its response level under the Framework of Government's Preparedness Plan for Influenza Pandemic from the "emergency" to the "alert" level since May 24, 2010.

Based on past experience, the virus was expected to take on the behavior of a seasonal influenza virus and continue to circulate in the community for some years, the spokesman added.

The World Health Organisation announced on August 10, 2010, that the world was no longer in phase six of the influenza pandemic alert and was moving into the post-pandemic period.

Source : Bernama