July 10, 2006

China immunises 6 billion birds in 6 months

China has immunised six billion farm birds against bird flu and 850 million head of livestock against other diseases in the first six months of this year, Agriculture Minister Du Qinglin said on Friday (Jul 7).

Supervision of poultry flocks and livestock had been strengthened, Du said, adding that 90 percent of flocks had been immunised in the first half year.

Du said the six cases of bird flu outbreak in five provinces and regions in the first half had been controlled effectively while outbreaks of other animal diseases had also been reduced.

A nationwide epidemic supervision network had been established, with 645,000 monitors covering more than 49,000 poultry farms, more than 80,000 households, over 900 pig farms and 2,000 poultry markets.

Du urged local governments to immunise all poultry and livestock in the coming season so as, to better control the outbreaks of bird flu and other diseases.