Suspected bird flu case reported in China's Tianjin

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, February 10, 2004

Suspected bird flu case reported in China's Tianjin

Four new suspected bird flu outbreaks, including one in the northern municipality of Tianjin, were reported on February 9 in China. Tianjin is a new to be affected by avian influenza.

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Suspected bird flu cases have been spotted in four new Chinese regions, a senior official from the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) said Monday.

Jia Youling, a MOA spokesman on bird flu prevention and control,said the cases were recently detected in Jinnan district of north China's Tianjin municipality, Macheng city of central China's Hubei province, Anning city of southwestern Yunnan province and Huayin city of northwestern Shannxi province.

Local governments have made emergency moves to cull and quarantine birds in the regions probably tainted by the deadly virus. No humans had so far been infected, said Jia.

Migratory birds monitored against bird flu

China's Ministry of Agriculture issued an emergency notice on Monday requiring authorities to monitor the habits and habitats of migratory birds to prevent the spread of bird flu.

Wild birds have begun to return to southeast Asia and south China as the weather gets warmer, which significantly increases the risk of spreading avian influenza, said the notice.

A more thorough mechanism of monitoring and examination must beestablished and more detailed information about migratory birds, including breeds, habitats, and habits, must be gathered, the notice said. It asked medical staff to disinfect the habitats of the migratory birds, collect their excrement and sanitize it.

Poultry raisers were reminded to segregate flocks from wild birds and government departments must promote publicity campaigns in rural areas.

Farmers should vaccinate waterfowl and prevent them from going to water areas inhabited by migrant birds or touching secretions and feathers of the wild birds.

Waterfowl such as ducks and geese should be separated from chickens and birds must be kept far away from livestock, includingpigs. The management of zoos, breeding farms and animal fields that have wide open water surfaces should stay vigilant to preventthe entry of migrant birds, the notice said.

It was necessary to guarantee food safety, while the transport and sale of poultry from non-affected areas should remain open, said the notice.

Preventing Human Infection

The Chinese government has issued two notices to governments at all levels to cooperate in preventing and curbing bird flu.

The notices, which were issued by the National Avian Influenza Prevention Headquarters, instruct local governments to set up joint task forces with officials from related government departments to coordinate the fight against bird flu, and allocate resources needed for the battle.

Local governments were also instructed to assume leadership of efforts by institutions, the military, NGOs and business, the notices stipulate.

Local authorities were urged to abide by the requirements concerning disease reporting and confirmation of the emergency plan to fight the highly pathogenic bird flu.

The notices urged local governments to report in a timely manner cases of bird flu and to protect material containing the virus, and to punish those who delay or cover up cases.

The notices also ordered local governments to improve health checks of those involved in bird farming, transportation, and processing, particularly in areas hit by the disease.

Local governments should also provide necessary protective materials and equipment for those involved in slaughtering birds infected with avian influenza to prevent human infection.

The notices outlined requirements for quarantine and vaccine production and use.

By People's Daily Online

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