Effective measures should be taken to enhance protection in the
areas that have not been affected by bird flu, and to control the
spread of the disease, scientists with the Ministry of Agriculture
said Tuesday.
The prevention is a comprehensive project including complete
disinfection of chicken farms and their surroundings, separating
fowls from livestock, appropriate vaccination and necessary medical
examinations, said the scientists.
Farmers who run small-scale chicken farms must pay attention to
hygiene, and vaccinate their fowls if necessary. They should also
operate under the inspection of local animal quarantine
administrations, and report to local authorities immediately in
case of any outbreak of bird flu.
Outbreaks may happen in any season, but are more likely in
winter and spring, said experts from the National Bird Flu
Prevention Headquarters, which was founded last week to deal with
the problem. They explained that the flu virus, which is sensitive
to temperature change, cannot live long in a hot environment, and
is killed by ultra-violet rays in sunshine.
(Xinhua News Agency February 3, 2004)