 |
Health officials incinerating infected poultry in Yongzhou, Hunan |
Yesterday, officials from the State Council of China announced that the country will allocate 2 billion Renminbi (approximately over 246 million USD) for the avian influenza prevention program, which is at risk of spreading into the country. On the same day, China reaffirmed the ban on poultry imports from 14 countries.
Speaking on the sidelines of an avian influenza prevention conference held in Beijing, a member of the State Council (China’s government) stated that the Chinese government has decided to allocate 2 billion Renminbi from this year’s budget to fund avian influenza prevention efforts.
The meeting also confirmed the reactivation of the national avian influenza command system to prevent an outbreak of the disease. Other members indicated that China will firmly implement strict measures, limiting poultry farming by 60% in farms.
Chinese Vice Minister of Agriculture, Yuan Chengjie, mentioned that China has issued a four-level warning system regarding the danger of avian influenza: Red indicates “Very Serious,” Orange indicates “Serious,” Yellow indicates “Relatively Serious,” and Blue indicates “Normal.”
China currently accounts for 37% of the world’s total poultry and bird species and ranks eighth along major migratory bird flight paths.
On the same day, Xinhua News Agency reported a ban on poultry imports from 14 countries: Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, Japan, North Korea, Romania, Croatia, Kazakhstan, South Africa, Mongolia, Turkey, Russia, and Sweden. The ban was issued on October 28, according to the Ministry of Commerce’s website on November 1, 2005. The ban aims to prevent bird flu infection, protect human health, and ensure the safety of China’s poultry farming. The ban will remain in effect until further notice.
THÙY LINH (According to Xinhua)
-75x75.jpg "20 million doses of H5N1 vaccine arrive in Vietnam 42")
