November 14, 2005

China mobilises 23 provinces against bird flu

China has already mobilised 23 provinces for bird flu prevention and epidemic control, the country's ministry of agriculture said.  

The ministry added that many provinces had established quick-response mechanisms on major animal-related epidemics, as well as round-the-clock surveillance systems.

Special funds were also set aside for the regions of Inner Mongolia, Jilin, Hunan, Hubei, Chongqing, Yunnan, Shaanxi, Ningxia and Xinjiang, to support preventive measures against the disease.

In addition, those regions have raised funds to stock up vaccines, disinfection materials and exposure suits.

In northern China's Shanxi province, farmers' poultry were vaccinated for free, while one epidemic reporter has been appointed for each village in eastern China's Zhejiang province.

Meanwhile, Beijing has stepped up inspections and quarantine on poultry products transported from other regions by railway, air and road.

Inspectors also conducted checks on markets in eastern China's Jiangsu province, and temporary disinfection stations were set up at road intersections. 

The government said local agricultural and sanitation departments have also stepped up cooperation, and strengthened joint information-exchange to prevent a bird flu epidemic.