January 17, 2006

China reports 32 bird flu outbreaks in 2005
 

China reported 32 outbreaks of avian influenza among poultry in 2005, according to the official Xinhua news agency Tuesday.

The outbreaks took place in 13 provinces and autonomous regions.

Citing a Chinese government report released at the International Pledging Conference on Avian and Human Pandemic Influenza held in Beijing on Tuesday, Xinhua said the virus killed 154,600 birds, while 22.57 million poultry were culled by the government to prevent the disease from spreading.

Government compensation to farmers for their losses due to the outbreaks doubled last year.

The authorities paid out RMB200 million (US$24.4 million), up from RMB100 million in 2004, Xinhua said.