Measures urged to keep out bird flu
30/9/2004 7:39
China is requiring all localities to strengthen preventive measures
against the possible outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, or
bird flu, during the autumn and winter, according to a recent circular issued by
the Ministry of Agriculture.
The circular says poultry should be immunized
strongly in key areas and quarantined before and after
butchering.
"Sterilization work should also be carefully done to remove all
potential build-ups. Farms, slaughterhouses, markets, refrigerator warehouses
and transport tools should be disinfected," it says.
"Since the autumn and
winter period is a key period for birds to migrate, bird flu is quite likely to
break out at any time," warns the circular, which cites the ongoing bird flu
cases in Southeast Asian countries as a threat to China.
"All localities must
understand the current situation and increase their sense of responsibility in
preventing bird flu," it says.
It also requires all related authorities to
substantively enhance coordination so as to form a united front.
"Authorities
should also prepare and improve their emergency plans and get ready vaccine and
sterilizing drugs," says the circular.
Meanwhile, Taiwan Province was also
tightening measures at the island's airports to prevent a possible outbreak of
bird flu spread by travelers from Thailand, Vietnam and other parts of Southeast
Asia.
Visitors from infected nations would be forced to undergo tests if they
arrived in Taiwan with bird flu symptoms, like fever, coughing and throat pain,
Taiwan's Center for Disease Control said yesterday.
If travelers develop the
symptoms 10 days after arriving, they should wear a surgical mask and go to a
hospital immediately, the CDC said.
Health officials also told Taiwanese
traveling to Thailand and Vietnam to stay away from poultry. But if they come
into contact with poultry and its excrement, they should wash their hands with
soap immediately, a statement on the CDC Website said.
So far, Taiwan has not
been affected by the latest bird flu outbreaks in Southeast Asia, CDC head Shih
Wen-yi said.
(Xinhua)
Xinhua
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