March 23, 2006

China, US Red Cross launch bird flu campaign

The American and Chinese Red Cross societies launched a campaign Thursday to teach China's public to avoid bird flu with millions of illustrated, simply written posters and pamphlets.

The materials with cartoons showing people washing their hands and reporting sick birds are to be distributed in 3,000 Chinese counties. The posters warn: "Do not let children play with chickens."

The US$150,000 campaign is financed by the American Red Cross and the US Agency for International Development. The materials are to be distributed by Chinese Red Cross volunteers in markets, bus stations and other public places.

"We have to reach our goal of raising the public's awareness of bird flu and minimizing the threat of bird flu in human homes," Jiang Yiman, executive vice president of the Chinese Red Cross, said at a news conference.

China has reported 15 human cases of bird flu and 10 deaths, nearly all traced to contact with sick birds. The government has destroyed tens of millions of chickens, ducks and other poultry in order to contain outbreaks.

The American Red Cross says it paid for similar campaigns in Vietnam and Cambodia.