China's quarantine authorities have announced a ban on the import of pet birds and wild birds from countries which have recorded cases of the deadly strain of H5N1 bird flu.

In an emergency circular issued on Monday, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine called for improved supervision and inspection at ports to prevent the entry of the virus from outside China.

The administration said it has also revoked licenses issued previously for the entry of birds or related products from those countries.

The moves were made as many countries in Asia, Africa and Europe reported outbreaks of the disease, including Kuwait, Italy, Germany, Iran, France and Egypt.

The administration also ordered quarantine departments at various ports to screen people from those countries who are feverish or coughing -- classic symptoms of the disease.

The administration called for more detailed inspection of luggage and parcels from those countries, saying all the pet or wild birds or related products will be returned to their countries of origin or destroyed if they are discovered.

Overseas passenger ships, planes and trains via China or staying in China are subject to the circular, the authorities said.

Birds from those countries that enter China illegally will be eliminated, according to the circular.

In another development, China's Agriculture Minister Du Qinglin on Monday called on the country to work harder to prevent a possible large-scale outbreak of avian flu in the spring.

Source: Xinhua