November 28, 2005

China reports new bird flu outbreak in Inner Mongolia

China has detected a new bird flu outbreak in the northern Inner Mongolia region, the Agricultural Ministry said Friday, bringing the total number of outbreaks for the country in recent weeks to at least 22.

The latest outbreak killed 246 birds at a farm in the city of Zalantun on Nov 20, prompting officials to kill 16,567 birds in the area, a statement from the Agriculture Ministry said.

The report did not specify what kinds of birds were affected. Tests confirmed the birds died from the deadly H5N1 virus on Friday, it said.

China-which has the world's largest number of chickens-has called bird flu a "serious epidemic". Outbreaks in poultry are still being reported almost daily.