FAO: China able to contain bird flu

cctv.com 02-22-2004 09:55

Experts from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization have wrapped up a four-day inspection tour of southwest China's Yunnan Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

They called measures taken by local governments to tackle the bird flu "timely and appropriate", and expressed confidence in China's ability to contain the outbreak.

Officials from FAO toured Chenggong County Friday morning, and visited the Yunnan Tropical and Subtropical Animal Virus Diseases Laboratory.

They learned about the technical training and sample test procedures in the animal virus disease lab, and also investigated the culling and vaccination of local poultry.

FAO Official Laurence Gleesson said:"These actions are for controlling disease like avian influenza which spreads very quickly and very easily. This is important, and this is what we recommended for epidemic disease control."

Xu Ji, Assistant FAO Representative to China, said: "I am greatly impressed by the timely measures being taken by the local governments. I'm very confident that China will win the fight against bird flu."

This is the first time the FAO has sent experts to bird flu-affected areas in China since the first outbreak of avian influenza was reported in Guangxi a month ago.

To date, confirmed or suspected cases of the deadly H5N1 virus have been reported in 16 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions on the Chinese mainland.

Editor:Zheng  Source:CCTV.com