January 9, 2006

China closes live poultry markets in Sichuan
 

Local authorities have closed all 54 live poultry markets in Sichuan province's Dazhu county, which was recently hit by bird flu, in a bid to stop the virus's spread.

Yang Yue, deputy director of the Sichuan Provincial Bureau for Industry and Commerce, said sales of poultry, eggs and related products have been banned in the county since the Ministry of Agriculture reported that bird flu had hit the area.

Local residents understood the situation and did not oppose the move to close the markets, Yang added.

Yang said that the live poultry markets could be reopened if no new bird flu outbreaks are reported in Dazhu within 21 days.

Authorities said no local residents have been infected by the H5N1 virus so far, and blood tests of all 16 people who had close contact with the dead poultry have turned up negative for the disease.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong authorities said they have suspended imports of live poultry and poultry meat from Sichuan.