China confirms first cases of bird flu

cctv.com 01-28-2004 10:14

Chinese authorities have confirmed that the death of ducks in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region is the result of the deadly H5N1 strain of the bird flu virus. But no infections in human beings have been found so far.

The local government has destroyed some 14,000 poultry in a three kilometer radius around the duck farm. They have also quarantined all poultry within a five kilometer radius.

Jia Youling, chief expert on farming of China's Ministry of Agriculture, says the disease can be controlled if effective measures are taken to block the affected area, kill all the infected poultry and sanitize affected areas. China has informed the UN Food and Agricultural Organization and the World Health Organization of the cases. The State Council has directed the Ministry of Agriculture to launch nationwide prevention and control efforts, and to keep the public well informed of developments.

meanwhile,the SAR Hong Kong government has now suspended the import of live birds or poultry meat from Indonesia, Pakistan and Laos until further notice. The government earlier imposed suspensions on the same imports from Thailand and Cambodia.

Editor:Hope  Source:CCTV.com