Chinese Vice-Premier Hui Liangyu Monday called for continuous efforts throughout China to prevent and control avian flu in the coming Spring Festival and in the early spring.

Addressing a meeting on prevention and control of highly pathogenic avian influenza, the vice-premier called on officials attending the meeting to have a sober-minded understanding of the situation of the fight against the bird flu during the traditional Chinese Lunar New Year period and the early spring.

He also called for understanding of the long-term and arduous nature of the prevention and control of the bird flu, and efforts to ensure chicken products available on the markets are sufficient in quantity and reliable in quality during the lunar New Year period which begins on Jan. 29.

China has made great progress in its fight against the avian flu during the past year and the outbreaks has been brought under control.

China reported 32 highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks from January to December 2005 in 13 provinces, leaving a total of 154,600 birds dead and 22,571,200 culled, according to an official report delivered to a recent International Pledging Conference on Avian and Human Pandemic Influenza convened in Beijing.

Quarantine has been lifted in 31 affected areas in China, the report said.

Demand and consumption of poultry products would soar during the New Year holiday and early spring while migratory birds would begin their northern ward movement, posing new challenges to the country's efforts to prevent and control of the avian flu.

He required governments at various levels to increase their capability to monitor, prevent and control possible avian flu, including improved quarantine measures, increased use of vaccines, and better rapid-reaction mechanism.

(Xinhua News Agency January 24, 2006)