May 4, 2006

China gives bird flu equipment to North Korea

China has donated equipment and materials to help North Korea prevent bird flu, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Wednesday (May 3).

"The equipment and materials presented by the Chinese government this time will help prevent the spread of bird flu in the country via its border and trading ports," KCNA said. No details were given.

North Korea has been closely monitoring migratory birds as a precaution against bird flu, and had locked up all local poultry in an effort to protect them from any birds carrying the virus.

Bird flu hit North Korea early last year, prompting the slaughter about 210,000 chickens and other poultry. Last April, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization said the outbreak was successfully contained. No new cases of bird flu have since been reported.

The H5N1 virus began ravaging Asian poultry stocks in late 2003 and has since killed at least 113 people worldwide.