April 11, 2013

In order to prevent possible infection of the new strain of avian flu H7N9 from migrant birds, Beijing has ordered poultry farms to place anti-bird nets in their surrounding areas. 

Yao,a media officer from Beijing Infectious Animal Plague Prevention Office, said that the decision was made as the arrival of spring means more birds are flying back to Beijing.

"With the weather getting warmer, migrant birds are back now, but there is still not enough food for them in Beijing. In this situation, it is possible they will seek food in open poultry farms with free-range poultry. If there are H7N9 carriers, other birds might get infected and that's why we made this decision," said Yao.

Yao said migrant birds will be guided to special open spaces, where food will be provided.

Health authorities also requested that the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Landscape and Forestry keeps a close monitor on any diseases in wild birds. They have also asked park administration offices to monitor birds in parks, and called for stricter immunity and health examination measures on poultry farms. 

Sijiqingshan, an organic open farm in Changping district, has installed a series of new anti-bird nets as requested.

However, Li Chunjin, manager of Beijing Lüyan Poultry Farm said that he has not received any request from the health bureau.