November 22, 2005

North Korea bolsters inspections to block bird flu

North Korea said Monday it was strengthening quarantine measures at all points of entry into the communist state to prevent the possible spread of bird flu.

North Korea has been on alert against bird flu with a spate of fresh outbreaks reported abroad, including neighbouring China. Last week, Beijing reported its first human death from the disease.

North Korean media have been quick in reporting bird flu outbreaks overseas and publicising the country's preventive measures.

"We're strengthening quarantine inspections for people and goods coming from regions and countries where bird flu has broken out," said Kim Hyong Chol, official-in-charge of the North Korean agency tasked with inspecting imported goods, according to the state's official Korean Central News Agency.

"We're quarantining people who are suspected of even a small thing," Kim said. No further details were given.

Imports of poultry from affected countries are banned and poultry from other regions undergo strict inspections, he said.

Bird flu hit North Korea earlier this year, forcing the communist state to cull about 210,000 chickens and other poultry. In April, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization said the outbreak was successfully contained. No new cases of bird flu have since been reported.

Experts fear the H5N1 variety of the bird flu virus that is sweeping through Asia might mutate into a form easily passed between humans, causing a global pandemic.