The Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) confirmed yesterday that 308
migratory birds have died since April 23 when a bird flu outbreak
was reported in northwest China's Qinghai Province.
Yushu County of Qinghai reported the outbreak of bird flu among
migratory birds on April 23. The MOA held special meetings to come
up with effective control measures.
The local veterinary department has recently collected 2,891
samples from the migratory birds in Qinghai, all of which tested
negative for the bird flu virus, the ministry said.
A reporting network has been launched in 39 counties of Qinghai.
More than 4,800 observers in 4,133 villages are to immediately
report to veterinary stations if any suspicious illness in birds is
discovered.
This spring Qinghai quarantined 2.15 million domestic fowl and
there have been no reports of any contracting the virus.
(Xinhua News Agency May 20, 2006)