China's quarantine authorities have announced a ban on the
import of pet birds and wild birds from countries that have
recorded cases of the H5N1 strain of bird flu.
In an emergency circular issued on Monday, the General
Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine
called for improved supervision and inspection at ports to prevent
cross-border contamination.
The administration said it has also revoked licenses previously
issued permitting the entry of such birds or related products from
those countries.
The measures were in response to increasing number of reports of
bird flu outbreaks in including Kuwait, Italy, Germany, Iran,
France and Egypt.
The administration also ordered quarantine departments at
various ports to screen visitors from these countries who appear to
be feverish or who are coughing -- typical symptoms of the
disease.
The administration called for more detailed inspection of
luggage and parcels, saying all pet or wild birds or related
products will be returned to their countries of origin or destroyed
if they are discovered.
Overseas passenger ships, planes and trains that transit through
China are also subject to prevention and control measures.
Birds from those countries that are brought into China illegally
will be culled, according to the circular.
In another development, China's Agriculture Minister Du
Qinglinon on Monday called on Chinese citizens to work harder to
prevent a possible large-scale outbreak of avian flu in the
spring.
(Xinhua News Agency February 21, 2006)