June 2, 2005

Warning system for bird flu in China to be set up

China is looking to begin an early warning system that will detect and prevent the spread of bird flu, especially in the wake of the recent outbreak of the virus in northwest China. The system will feature a nationwide virus database, epidemic analysis and information sharing among foreign experts, and regular information releases to the public.

The Chinese Academy of Sciences is currently developing the system in eight provinces, including Yunnan and Hunan. Ma Juncai, assistant director of the academy's Institute of Microbiology said that because bird flu is more difficult to detect as its human symptoms are similar to a bad cold, it is a priority to establish a warning system in China as soon as possible.