The Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in south China has taken stringent measures to prevent bird flu from crossing the border with Vietnam, according to the regional government Wednesday.

The measures include shutting down all the poultry markets on the border, vaccinating and conducting regular sterilization of all fowl, and setting up a mechanism for timely report of epidemics.

"Once a bird flu case is reported, we'll work to put it under control in where it is found," said an official with the regional government.

The government has barred residents in the bordering areas from the cross-border trading of fowl and fowl products, while cracking down on the smuggling of the products. Monitoring stations have been set up and inspections are carried out at all ports and border entrances.

At the Dongxing Customs, a road checkpoint linking Guangxi and Vietnam, the carpet in the hall way has been sprinkled with antisepsis liquor to disinfect passengers' soles.

Guangxi shares a land border of 1,020 kilometers with Vietnam, which is plagued by bird flu.

The southwest autonomous region reported a human case in this region early this month.

(Xinhua News Agency December 15, 2005)