China on flu alert for migratory birds

cctv.com 02-14-2004 15:18

In Beijing, twelve monitoring centers have been established to prevent the possible transmission of the disease by migratory birds. The deadly disease affects both birds and humans, and the Ministry of Health has taken other precautionary measures to prevent human infection.

The return of spring will bring thousands of birds back to Beijing. Every year, 30錛00 return from their winter grounds in southern China, where there's been an outbreak of bird flu. Twelve monitoring centers have been set up in the capital in places where migratory birds gather. Workers will disinfect bird habitats and file daily reports. They will log three observations a day, noting the number of birds and their health condition. Any sign of bird flu will be immediately reported.

Humans are also at risk. Following the bird flu outbreak in east China provinces of Zhejiang and Jiangxi and central China's Hunan province, the Ministry of Health sent a team of experts for inspection and guidance on preventing human infection.

Li Liming, director of China Disease Prevention & Control Center, said, "We've found some problems in preventing human infection. We must strengthen surveillance on all flu cases, as bird flu symptoms are the same as other types of flu. And in many places, there's over disinfection. Scientific disease prevention and control procedures should be followed."

The battle to contain bird flu in China has entered a critical phase. So far, fourteen provinces and regions have confirmed outbreaks of the disease.

Editor:Xiao  Source:CCTV.com