January 31, 2008

China allays fears of bird flu on Chinese New Year

Chinese officials have again assured the public that chicken sold during the upcoming Chinese New will be safe from bird flu.

Livestock Development Department director-general, Sakchai Sriboonsue, said consumption of chicken on February 7 will be guaranteed free from bird flu as certificates were issued after laboratory tests.

Bird flu scares were rampant after the re-emergence of the virus in China's Nakhon Sawan and Phichit provinces earlier this week.

Earlier reports said it will take several days for laboratory tests to verify the strain of bird flu that infected poultry in Phichit's Sak Lek district.

Currently, government officials are working to contain the bird flu outbreak, including the transfer of birds to slaughterhouses.