China said yesterday it has newly confirmed cases of bird flu in poultry in six provinces, in an upgrade of cases previously listed as suspected outbreaks.

The report on state television added that China has "not yet discovered any cases of humans catching the disease."

The report said the bird flu cases were confirmed in Hubei, Shaanxi, Gansu, Hunan, Guangdong and Zhejiang provinces.

It also said new suspected cases were found in Guangdong and in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region - both of which already have confirmed cases.

Quarantine and control measures were immediately instituted, the report said.

Government inspectors, who set off for major areas hit by bird flu yesterday, are required to check whether local leaders have carried out state policies on prevention and control of the virus.

Inspection teams consisting of ministry officials and veterinary, quarantine and health experts set off for the 11 provinces and autonomous regions of Hebei, Henan, Jiangxi, Hunan, Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, Yunnan and Guangxi, government officials said yesterday.

At a recent meeting of the national bird flu prevention and control headquarters, Vice Premier Hui Liangyu asked the inspectors to examine the emergency plans, epidemic prevention responsibility systems, reserve of emergency materials and techniques, and the fulfillment of prevention measures in these areas.

Hui, who leads the headquarters, urged the inspectors to go to the grassroots to learn the real situation, including difficulties and problems in bird flu prevention and control, and help the localities with the task of controlling the disease.

Now that the central authorities have drawn out clear-cut policies on bird flu prevention and control, "the most pressing matter of the moment is to act promptly to make well-conceived plans and concerted efforts to implement various prevention measures so that bird flu prevention and control can be carried out in an energetic, orderly and effective manner," Hui said.

Yesterday, the central government moved to prevent the spread of bird flu by migratory birds to the country's endangered bird species, an official with the State Forestry Administration said.

The administration ordered the country's endangered wildlife rescue and breeding centers to disinfect living and breeding pens, properly dispose of waste, and improve safety inspections of bird food, the official told reporters.

Exhibitions of birds are suspended and visitors are prohibited from entering the centers, under a decision by the administration.