With more avian flu reports cropping up in China, the nation is faced with great challenges in preventing further spread of the disease. The Chinese government has, however, promised an aggressive effort towards containing the epidemic. During his inspection of affected areas, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao sent a message to local people that, although a tough job, the government will step up its efforts to deal with the disease.

The deadly avian influenza has fast spread throughout China. The Chinese Premier toured parts of the central Hubei and eastern Anhui provinces affected by the flu and promised compensation for farmers. Central authorities have issued strict guidelines to try and control further spread. All poultry found within five kilometers of affected sites must be vaccinated. And all birds, even the vaccinated ones, found within Three kilometers of affected sites, must be culled.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said: "Even if fowl have been vaccinated, they still have to be slaughtered. I hope people can understand that. "

With regard to the reported outbreak of the bird flu in 10 provinces and municipalities around the country, the Premier said while preventing human infection is very important, attention must also be paid to protecting the poultry industry. To help cope with the disease, the State Council has established National Bird Flu Prevention Headquarters to coordinate prevention measures. Chinese analysts have so far not found evidence to link the Chinese outbreaks.

Li Wanyou, veterinary specialist with National Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Service, said: "The epidemic is still developing. I think the major reason of the outbreak is a lack of adequate raising conditions for poultry, and the temperature. Some birds' immune systems have failed to resist virus attacks, but these cases do not seem connected."

Li said migrant birds are still suspected to have carried the virus to domesticated flocks. The Chinese Ministry of Health says that so far, there have been no known human cases of infection. The Chinese government and the WHO have both repudiated claims that the virus originated in China. There are, as yet, no clear answers as to where it originated, nor how it develops. But China has, at least, improved mechanisms to cope with the spread of an epidemic.

Although avian flu has spread rapidly in China, last year's experience of SARS has left the authorities and people better equipped to cope with the new challenge.

(CCTV.com February 3, 2004)