BEIJING, April 24 (Xinhua) -- China will strengthen monitoring of H7N9 bird flu in the area hit by the the recent 7.0-magnitude earthquake, although no cases have been reported there, said the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) on Wednesday.
Liang Wannian, chief of the NHFPC's emergency response office, said so far there have been no reports of H7N9 human infections or suspected cases in the quake-hit area in the southeastern province of Sichuan. And there have likewise been no reports from agricultural departments about any H7N9 cases in the local poultry industry.
However, local bird flu cannot be ruled out in theory, warned Liang, who added that the commission will strengthen monitoring in the quake area, and will take measures as soon as possible in case of H7N9 being detected.
A total of 108 H7N9 cases have been reported in China, including 22 that have ended in death.
>>>Quake-hit China grows in pain
The principle of sparing no efforts to save lives cannot be more stressed. No minute or even second should be delayed during the "golden rescue period" in the first 72 hours after the quake.
>>>Pilot cancels wedding to participate in quake relief
When the 7.0-magnitude quake happened, Zhang Shangnian, a pilot from an aviation brigade of Chengdu Military Region, was about to hold his wedding.
>>>Nurse returns to work after losing mother
Just likes other medical staff, she was busy with rescuing people injured in the earthquake in SW China, but no one knew her mother just died in the quake.
>>>Wedding ceremony without bridegroom held on schedule
Zhuo Jia, the bridegroom, is a solider of the Chengdu Military Region; he had to leave his beautiful bride behind to participate in earthquake relief.
>>>An injured girl's smile moves many
"Your smile makes the entire world beautiful,” a photo of a smiling girl with bandage on her head has moved so many Chinese netizens.
>>>Teenager saves mom with his bare hands
The mother moves away a precast slab weighing over 50 kilograms alone to save her son in the earthquake. She said she did not know where her strength came from.
China’s weekly story
(2013.4.13-4.19)