It is possible that China will have outbreaks of bird flu in
spring, in addition to more reports of human infections, according
to Vice-Premier Hui
Liangyu on Thursday, during a televised national conference on
the prevention and control of the disease.
Migrating birds moving around en masse during the spring is the
main contributing factor to a possible outbreak, Hui said, adding
that there have been many recent reports of infections in other
parts of the world.
The forecast is based on a comprehensive analysis of the
situation to date, Hui said. He called on citizens to be aware of
the gravity of bird flu and to make every effort to implement
preventative measures.
Hui is a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party
of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the national
headquarters on the prevention and control of the highly infectious
disease.
Despite certain achievements in tackling bird flu last year,
prevention and control continue to prove a major challenge for
China, Hui said.
(Xinhua News Agency March 3, 2006)