China moves to step up avian flu prevention efforts

China's Agricultural Minister Du Qinglin Monday called on the country to work harder for possible outbreak of avian flu on a large scale in spring.

Addressing a video conference on prevention of major animal disease in spring, the minister said many parts of northern China face serious threat of the disease due to the return of migratory birds in spring to northern China.

The birds vaccinated last fall will be gradually vulnerable to the disease as the effect of the vaccines expires, said the minister.

Du said some remote rural areas may not be vaccinated, and long-distance shipment of live birds may result in an outbreak of the disease.

Globally, the faster spread of the disease in some other countries and regions indicates higher incidence of the spread and outbreak, said the minister.

He called on localities and vet departments at various levels to improve their mechanism for the prevention and control of avian flu.

Source: Xinhua