Chinese Ministry of Agriculture announced an emergency scheme here Thursday to tackle human infection of bird flu after first human cases were confirmed Wednesday.

The scheme will help local governments to trace the virus source and contain the spread of the epidemic among human beings.

Meanwhile, the ministry issued a circular and required agricultural departments at all levels to implement the scheme with meticulous care.

The scheme is aimed to prevent and control human infection of bird flu, said sources with the ministry.

When human cases occurred, local veterinarian work stations should analyze the trend of the epidemic and report to the governments at the next higher levels. And the expenses should be guaranteed to ensure the implementation of prevention measures.

China's Ministry of Health on Wednesday confirmed two human cases and one suspected case of H5N1 bird flu. All the three victims had been in close contact with sick and dead poultry before showing pneumonia-like symptoms.

(Xinhua News Agency November 17, 2005)