Chinese health authorities have tightened health monitoring and
controls in the northwestern Qinghai Province where a bird flu outbreak was
reported during the May Day holiday.
The Ministry of Health said Monday it had instructed the
provincial health department to take emergency measures to protect
tourists during the week-long holiday as soon as the outbreak was
confirmed.
Herdsmen in the Yushu County wetland area found a group of dead
wild geese on April 23. The Ministry of Agriculture confirmed the
outbreak of bird flu on May 5 when the number of dead birds had
risen to 123.
The area is 800 kilometers from the provincial capital Xining,
and 60 kilometers from the county town. It is uninhabited due to
its high altitude and harsh environment.
China has reported 36 outbreaks of bird flu and 18 human
infections involving 12 fatalities since 2005.
The health ministry also said on Monday that no major public
health incidents or serious food poisoning cases were reported
during the holiday.
(China Daily May 9, 2006)
