On Wednesday, health officials in Anhui lifted a ban on the
slaughter of poultry in markets, saying that H5N1 avian influenza
has been brought under control in the eastern province.
The provincial bird flu prevention headquarters encouraged all
live poultry dealers and slaughterers to resume business, also
asking local officials to strengthen supervision of live poultry
markets.
"The lifting of the ban will help poultry trading in the
province to recover, retrieve farmers' losses and revive the
development of the breeding business," said Hu Wei, deputy director
of the bird flu prevention office in Xuancheng City.
Local governments at all levels in the province were also called
on to help improve public awareness of how to prevent the spread of
bird flu to ensure personal health and safety.
Anhui has confirmed two human cases of bird flu so far, both in
women: a 24-year-old farmer named Zhou who died on November 10 and
a 35-year-old farmer named Xu who died on November 22.
It was also reported yesterday that major packinghouses in
Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest
China, had resumed operations after the bird flu quarantine there
was lifted on December 10.
China has reported 30 outbreaks amongst birds this year in 11
provinces and autonomous regions and reported five
laboratory-confirmed human cases.
(Xinhua News Agency December 15, 2005)