An outbreak of bird flu occurred in Turpan in northwestern
China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Dec. 29, resulting in
4,850 poultry deaths.
The presence of the H5N1 virus in poultry in the area was
confirmed by a state laboratory on Jan. 3, and 29,383 fowls have
been culled.
No human case was reported and local authorities said Friday the
situation had been brought under control.
Vice Minister of Agriculture Yin Chengjie said in early December
that the possibilities of regional bird flu outbreaks were "very
high" in the winter and coming spring, and the situation was "not
optimistic" as there had been cases of poultry infection in a
"relatively large contaminated area".
The Spring Festival in early February is drawing near and more
poultry will be transported and slaughtered for festival feasts,
which could facilitate transmission of the disease.
Local departments have been ordered to step up immunization
measures ahead of the festival, and monitor bird activities along
the border and in water areas by increasing sample test numbers and
frequencies of examinations.
(Xinhua News Agency January 5, 2008)